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THE CENTRAL AMERICAN 
PEACE CONFERENCE 

HELD AT WASHINGTON, D. C. 

1907 



REPORT OF 

MR. WILLIAM I. BUCHANAN 

REPRESENTING THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 



WASHINGTON 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

1908 



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REPORT 

OF 

THE CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE 



HELD AT WASHINGTON, D. C, 1907. 



By Me. William I. Buchanan, 

Representing the United States of America. 

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the Cen- 
tral American Peace Conference held at Washington, D. C, Novem- 
ber 13 to December 20, 1907, between delegates representing the five 
Central American Republics — Costa Eica, Guatemala, Honduras, 
Nicaragua, and Salvador. In accordance with the provisions of 
Article II of the protocol convening the Conference, signed at Wash- 
ington, September 17, 1907, between the diplomatic representatives 
of the said Republics, Mexico and the United States were invited 
to participate in the Conference in a friendly capacity. Mexico 
designated his excellency the Mexican ambassador at Washington 
as her representative, while I had the honor to participate as repre- 
sentative of the United States. 

The Conference grew out of the friendly initiative that was taken 
during last summer by their Excellencies the Presidents of the 
United States and of Mexico, in an endeavor to secure an adjustment 
of the then pending disputes between several of these Republics in 
some form that would insure permanent peace among them and fos- 
ter their development. 

As a result of this step a preliminary conference between the diplo- 
matic representatives of the five Republics was held at the Bureau 
of American Republics, Washington, D. C, on September 16 and 
17, 1907. There were also present Hon. A. A. Adee, of the Depart- 
ment of State, and Senor Don Jose F. Godoy, Charge d'Affaires of 
Mexico. At this conference the protocol convening the Conference 
was agreed to and the time fixed for the first fifteen days of Novem- 
ber. The text of this protocol— in English — will be found in the 
minutes which accompany this report as inclosure 1. 

The Conference was called together by the Secretary of State in 
the, following note, dated November 11, 1907: 

" Department of State, 
" Washington, 'November 11, 1907. 
" Excellencies : The plenipotentiaries of the iive Central American Republics 
of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Salvador, appointed by 
their respective Governments in pursuance of the protocol signed in Washington 

3 



4 CENTEALi AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

on the 17th day of September, 1907, having arrived in the city of Washington 
for the purposes of the Conference contemplated in the said protocoi, I have the 
honor to request that the said plenipotentiaries, together with the representa- 
tives of the United Mexican States and of the United States of America, ap- 
pointed pursuant to the second article of said protocol, convene in the building 
of the Bureau of American Republics in the city of Washington, on the 14th day 
of November, instant, at half past 2 in ihe afternoon. 

" I avail myself of this opportunity to offer to your excellencies the assurances 
of my highest consideration. 

" Elihu Root." 
To their excellencies the — 

DELEGATES TO THE CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



COSTA RICA. 

Senor Dr. Don Luis Anderson, Minister 
for Foreign Affairs. 

Sefior Dr. Don J. B. Calvo, Envoy Ex- 
traordinary and Minister Plenipoten- 
tiary at Washington. 

GUATEMALA. 

Seiior Dr. Don Antonio Batres Juare- 
gui. 

Senor Don Victor Sanchez Ocana. 

Senor Don Luis Toledo Herrarte, En- 
voy Extraordinary and Minister 
Plenipotentiary at Washington. 

HONDURAS. 

Seiior Dr. Don Policarpo Bonilla. 

Senor Don E. Coustantino P^iallos. 

Senor Dr. Don Angel Ugarte, Envoy 
Exti'aordinary and INIiuister Plenipo- 
tentiary at Washington. 



NICARAGUA. 

Seiior Dr. Don Jose Madriz. 

Sefior Don Luis F. Corea, Envoy Ex- 
traordinary and Minister Plenipoten- 
tiary at Washington. 

EL SALVADOR. 

Seiior Dr. Don Salvador Gallegos. 

Seiior Don Salvador Rodriguez, G. 

Seiior Dr. Don Federico Mejia, Envoy 
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo- 
tentiary at Washington. 

To the representatives of — 

MEXICO. • 

His Excellency Seiior Don Enrique 0. 
Creel, Ambassador at Washington. 

UNITED STATES. 

Hon. William I. Buchanan, Buffalo, 

N. Y. 



The secretaries of the different delegations were as follows : 

HONDURAS. NICARAGUA. 



Sefior Dr. Don Justo Gomez Osorio. 
Sefior Don Urbano Ugarte. 
Sefior Dr. Don Manuel Ugarte. 



Senor Ing. Don Nicolas Veloz. 

EL SALVADOR. 

Senor Don Salvador Galleagos (h.). 



The Conference was held at the Bureau of American Eepublics, 
the entire second floor of the Bureau having been especially fitted and 
furnished for the purpose of the Conference by the United States. 
Preliminary meetings of the delegates were held on the 12th and 13th 
of November for the purpose of agreeing upon rules to govern the 
Conference and upon its officers. Neither the Mexican representatives 
nor the undersigned were present during these sessions. 

A copy of the rules agreed upon to govern the Conference will be 
found herewith, as Inclosure 2. It will be noted that they are based 
Upon the rules adopted by the Third Pan-American Conference held 
at Rio de Janeiro in 1906, exceptions being the clause which required 
all delegations to be present before a vote could be taken, and that by 
which unanimity was required in voting, without prejudice to the 
fact that if onlv three delegations voted affirmatively then the sub- 



CENTRAL AMERTCAN PEACE CONFERENCE. O 

ject became obligatory for them and a recommendation to the two 
which had voted " No." The rules provided that the public should 
not be admitted to the sessions of the Conferences. 

The strained relations that had for many months existed between 
several of the Republics made the question of rules one of considerable 
delicacy, but the good spirit manifested by all the delegates, both at 
that time and throughout the Conference, overcame these difficulties, 
and as the Conference proceeded practically made rules almost un- 
necessary. 

The minutes of the preliminary meetings of the delegates will be 
found herewith as In closure 3. , 

The inaugural session of the Conference was a public one, and was 
held at 2.30 p. m. on Thursday, November 14, in the conference rooms 
at the Bureau of American Republics.. 

There were present, in addition to the delegates, their secretaries ; 
the representative of Mexico and the representative of the United 
States; the Secretary of State, Hon. Elihu Root; the Assistant Sec- 
retary of State, Hon. Robert Bacon ; the Third Assistant Secretary 
of State, Mr. Huntington Wilson ; the secretary of the Mexican em- 
bassy, Senor Jose F. Godoy ; the officials of the Bureau of American 
Republics, and the personnel of the Central American legations. 

The Conference was called to order by the Secretary of State, 
Hon. Elihu Root, who in an address to the delegates urged them to 
brina- about lasting and durable peace between their several countries, 
and 1:0 make such sure provision for this for the future that a re- 
turn of the unfortunate conditions that had existed between and 
fcimong them would be impossible: The Secretary's remarks created 
an excellent impression among the delegates and were many times 
thereafter recalled and quoted by them in the discussions that took 

place. 1 Ar • 

The Secretary of State was followed by his excellency, the Mexi- 
can ambassador, who in an eloquent address assured the delegates 
of the cordial and deep interest felt by the Mexican Government m 
the work before the Conference. 

The credentials of the delegates were then examined by a special 
committee, after which the Conference proceeded to elect His Ex- 
cellency Sehor Dr. Don Luis Anderson, of Costa Rica, president of 
the Conference, and Sehor Dr. Don Jose Madriz, of Nicaragua, and 
Sehor Dr. Don Salvador Rodriguez, of San Salvador, secretaries of 
the Conference. 

The Conference then unanimously elected honorary presidents ot 
the Conference their Excellencies Hon. Elihu Root, Secretary of 
State of the United States, and Licenciado Don Ignacio Mariscal, 
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Mexico. 

The minutes of the inaugural session, together with a copy of the 
address delivered- at the time by the Secretary of State, the Mexican 
ambassador, and by Mr. Anderson, will be found herewith as In- 
closure 4. 

The first regular session of the Conference was held on the fol- 
lowing day — Friday, November 15 — and with the exception of an 
adjournment taken on Thanksgiving Day as a mark of courtesy to 
the United States, informal or formal sessions were daily held 
thereafter. 



6 CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

The first session began with the reading of the first article of the 
diplomatic protocol signed at Washington, September IT, 1907, be- 
tween the Bepublics represented in the Conference; and 

In view of the important bearing this article had on the results 
attained by the Conference, I deem it well to insert here a trans- 
lation of its text, as follows: 

Upon receipt of the formal invitation, whicli, it is understood, will be simul- 
taneously issued to each of the five Republics of Central America, by their 
Excellencies the Presidents of the United States of America and of the United 
Mexican States, a cohfereace of the plenipotentiary representatives, which the 
Governments of the Republics referred to shall appoint for that purpose — that 
is to say, Costa Rica, Sahador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua — will 
meet during the first fifteen days of November next, at the city of Washington, 
to discuss the steps to be taken and the measures to be adopted for the purpose 
of adjusting any differences which exist between the said Republics or between 
any of them, and for the purpose' of concluding treaty which shall define their 
general relations. 

It will be noted that two things were to be done by the Conference 
and in the following order: 

(A) "Discuss the steps to be taken and the measures to be adopted for the 
purpose of adjusting any differences which exist between the said Republics 
or between any of them ; " and 

(B) The concluding of " a treaty which shall define their general relations." 

The reading of this article brought before the Conference the 
important mater of what claims or questions, if any, were then pend- 
ing between the Republics as an outgrowth of the armed disturbances 
that had existed during many months between several of them. A 
pause followed the reading of the article, each delegation apparently 
waiting for some indication as to the course events were likely to take. 
The pause was followed by a declaration made by the chairman of 
the delegation from Salvador that his country had no claim of any 
kind to present against either of the other four Republics. This 
declaration was at once followed, amid the applause of those present, 
by a similar one made by the chairman of the delegation from each 
of the remaining foUr Republics. 

This action on the part of the Republics merits special notice, 
since it not only showed the excellent spirit which guided the dele- 
gates and pointed to wide possibilities for effective work open to 
the Conference, but beyond this effectively closed the door against 
the presentation hereafter by either of the Republics of any claim 
growing out of their armed disturbances in 1907. 

The first provision set out in the protocol having thus been dis- 
posed of, the Conference adjourned until Monday, the 18th, in order 
that the different delegations might have time to prepare such 
projects of treaties and conventions as they might deem properly 
within the intent of the second provision of the protocol. 

At the second session the president stated that the order of the 
day would be the presentation of projects covering the general rela- 
tions of the five Republics, as provided by the last part of the first 
article of the September 17 protocol. 

The Honduras delegation thereupon presented a project for a 
union of the five Republics. This at once gave rise to differences of 
opinion as to the scope of the Conference, which at times seemed 
likely to affect its usefulness. Indeed, the divergent views brought 
out by the presentation of the Honduras project were not entirely 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 7 

dissipated until well on towards the closing session of the Conference. 
Through the Honduras project the old and several times fruitlessly 
attempted plan to form a Central American union again became a 
live subject. It was strongly advocated by the Honduras delegation 
as being the true solution for the constantly recurring disputes that 
had held back the development of the Central American Republics. 
The Nicaragua delegation favored the Honduras plan. The delega- 
tion from Salvador inclined in that direction in principle, but the 
delegation from Guatemala opposed it. The Costa Rica delegation 
objected to the consideration of the matter, taking the ground that the 
project was entirely out of order under the terms of the protocol 
convening the Conference. 

As a result of the discussion that followed the introduction of the 
Honduras project as to whether or not the project was within the 
intent of the article of the protocol which referred to the " general 
relations of the Central American countries," the Guatemalan dele- 
gation submitted a motion that the Conference should proceed to 
draw up the bases for a general treaty of peace, taking the San Jose 
treaty of September 25, 1906, as a guide. 

In order to find a road out of the difficulty thus before the Confer- 
ence, both projects were sent to a special committee for their study 
and report. This committee consisted of a representative from each 
of the five delegations. 

The committee submitted two reports at the next session of the 
Conference. One report strongly favored the Honduras project. 
This was signed by the members of the committee representing Hon- 
duras and Nicaragua. The other report as strongly opposed that 
project and favored the course proposed by Guatemala. This was 
signed by the members of the committee representing Salvador, Costa 
Rica and Guatemala. 

The importance that was attached to the subject and its relation 
to the political future of the five Republics leads me to insert here 
a translation of both the Honduras and Guatemala projects, together 
with the two committee reports referred to above. They are as fol- 
lows : 

"MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY THE DELEGATION FROM HONDURAS. 

"According to the protocol signed in Washington, September 17 last, between 
the plenipotentiaries of the five Central American Republics and the declaration 
made on the 15th of this month :^ The object of this Conference is reduced to 
the question of the manner through which a valid and lasting peace can be 
secured in these countries; their good relations conserved; and to the negotia- 
tion of a treaty that will set out their general relations. 

" The delegates from Honduras expressing not only their own sentiments but 
those of their Government as well, and interpreting those of the great majority 
of the people of Honduras, find themselves of the belief that to reach the end 
thus had in view by the Conference the sure and definite means to employ would 
be the union in the Federal Itepublic of the five nationalities represented here. 

" Every Central American agrees that the union is the absolute destiny of 
these countries and that some day it will be realized; opinions differ only with 
regard to the opportune moment to bring this about. This opportunity we see 

^ This refers to the declaration made by the five Republics in the first session 
of the Conference, that they had no claims to present against each other. 



8 CENTRAL AMERICAN" PEACE CONFERENCE. 

in the present Coufereuce, wliicli appears to us to be the most propitious that 
has occurred iu the course of our national lives. 

" The circumstances which have surrounded and now surround the plenipo- 
tentiaries now assembled here may be again present, but can not be improved 
in the future. 

" The friendly intervention of the United States and Mexico gives to the 
Conference a powerful moral force, which has made itself felt within and with- 
ont these Republics, carrying the conviction that something of lasting benefit 
must result from its work. Nothing would be so transcendental and advan- 
tageous as the reestablishment of our old federation — this time upon firm and 
immovable bases. 

" On the other hand, the fact that no claims or differences exist between the 
Central American Republics, as has been officially declared by the delegations, 
facilitates and prepares the way to accomplish so noble an aspiration. 

" The president of Nicaragua on his part has given an evidence of self-abne- 
gation by his offer to retire from his office if this was necessary to bring about 
the union. He has thus indicated the road that can be taken to overcome 
obstacles such as that, should they be met with in an effort to carry out such 
a plausible matter. We, on our part, declare that the president of Honduras 
has been and is disposed to proceed in an identical manner — that is to say, to 
put to one side his personality in deference to the general interests of all. 

" The other Central American governments, animated, as we suppose, by 
the same generous sentiments, would possibly not find it inconvenient to choose 
the same course ; and, in the event they did not, their resolution would only 
delay the consolidation of the Republics, since at the end of their presidential 
terms those in power would have to deliver bacli to tlie people the power they 
had received from them. 

" Passing now to a practical form iu which our thought may be expressed, we 
propose the following bases : 

" First. The respective congresses to ratify within three months the treaties 
signed at this Conference, and to then convoke a constitutional convention which 
will frame the fundamental law of the Republic, and organize judicial powers 
for its execution without prejudice to the disposition relative to the election of 
the legislative and executive bodies in the future. 

" Second. The constitutional convention to come together within three months 
from the date it is called, and to convoke a regular congress in the form fixed by 
the constitution. 

" Third. The constitutional convention to provide among its acts that the 
debts of the respective countries shall be assumed by them. 

" Fourth. Until the Federal Republic is organized a supreme court will be 
established, with guaranties for its independence and impartiality, with. power 
to resolve the differences which may arise between the States and other mat- 
ters that may be set out in the corresponding treaty.^ 

" Fifth. The treaty will stipulate that a general amnesty shall be declared 
by each Republic to cover all those under arrest for political offenses or for 
those connected with such offenses. 

" In the preceding paragraphs we have indicated the criterion by which 
the Honduras delegatfon is guided iu its wish to obtain a result satisfactory 
to the Conference : we invite you to study these general bases which, if they 
merit your approval, we can develop in detail for submission to your enlightened 
consideration. 

" P. BONILLA. 
" E. C. FlALLOS. 

" Angel Ugarte. 
" Washington, JS'ovemljer 18, 1107.'' 



" MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY THE DELEGATION FROM GUATEMALA. 

" To the HonorahJe Central American Conference of Peace: 

" The delegation from Guatemala, in compliance with its promise made 
during the preceding session, lias the honor to propose that for the purpose of 
the general treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce, the treaty signed at San 

^Reference is intended to the treaty contemplated to.be signed should the pi-o- 
posed Honduras plan be adopted by the Conference. 



CENTEAL AMERICAlSr PEACE CONFEEENCE. 9 

Jose de Costa Rica on the 25tli of September of last year between tlie pleni- 
potentiaries of four of the Central American Republics shall serve as a basis, 
making such necessary alterations as may be required at this time and adding 
such stipulations as may be thought convenient concerning railways, custom- 
houses, fiscal systems, moneys, or any other subjects that may be helpful toward 
strengthening good relations between the Republics. The Hague project con- 
cerning an arbitral court — its most perfect work — should be kept in view. 

" Will the honorable Conference be good enough to accept the respectful 
homage of this delegation. 

'■ Antonio Batees Juaregui. 

" Luis Toledo Herrarte. 

" Victor Sanches, O. 
"Washington, November IS, 1907." 



REPORT MADE BY THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE FAVORING THE 

HONDURAS PROJECT. 

" To the Honoroble Conference: 

" We are members of the committee charged with the study of and to report 
on the projects presented by the delegations of Honduras and Guatemala. The 
first proposes the union of the five Republics represented in the Conference In 
one nation, organized as a federation as the best means to insure the peace of 
Central America on a stable base of justice and liberty. The second proposes 
the celebration of a treaty of friendship and peace modeled after the treaty of 
San Jose of September 25, 1906. with such modifications as may be thought 
necessary to insure good relations between the Central American States in the 
future. Having substantially differed from our honorable' colleagues on the 
committee on an essential point, we have thought it convenient to formulate 
our views in a separate report, as follows: 

"When the committee met at 2 in the afternoon on the ]Sth instant, Senor 
Madriz indicated his belief that notwithstanding the difference and seeming 
opposition between the two projects, he found in the two a conciliatory form 
which he would propose to the committee. Gi^•^n the transcendental character 
of the Honduras project, he thought it should not be ]iut to one side, as the opin- 
ion of the majority appears to be, but on the contrary, he thought it should be 
accepted and put in treaty form, in order that it might be remitted for the vote 
of the different legislative assemblies. He added that a direct appeal in this 
manner to the wishes of the peoi)le, in order that they might decide the question, 
would not only be a proper homage to them but would also free the delegates 
personally and the Conference from the grave responsibility they would assume 
if, by an error of api)rociation as to the actual political conditions in Central 
America, they should put to one side an idea that met the sentiments of the 
'majority of the people of Central America. Further, that this idea would not 
exclude the conclusion of a treaty of friendship and peace which would take 
the place of the fact of union in the event the latter was not approved by the 
majority of the States. 

"After a short debate, the session of the committee was suspended until the 
delegation from Salvador could receive special cable instructions that had been 
asked for by them. 

" Day before yesterday the undersigned were notified that the committee 
would continue its work, the next sitting to be yesterday at 9.20. Sefior Gal- 
legos, of San Salvador, who was found alone in his apartment, said to us: ' That 
both he and Senores Batres Juaregui an.d Calvo regretted they were not in 
accord with the Honduras project, believing, as they did, that the actual cir- 
cumstances made it inopportune at this time to advance with any thought of 
success the idea of a Central American union, and that in consequence they 
would be impelled to formulate a report substantially indorsing the Guatemala 
motion and against the Honduras report.' Sehor Gallegos proposed neverthe- 
less to include our views in the same report, but we chose to make a separate 
report. 

" Referring now to the cardinal points in the case, we think : 

" First. That union will alone insure stable and etficient peace and order in 
Central America. 



10 CENTRAL AMEEICAX PEACE COiSTFERENCE, 

" Second. That an existing and constant sentiment of unity and a conscious- 
ness of a common destiny are essential characteristics of our political life. 

" Third. That obstacles to union do not originate with the people nor are they 
insurmountable. 

" Fourth. That the Conference should conclude a convention covering the 
project submitted by the Honduras delegation and leave the solution of the 
matter to the legislative assemblies of the Republics. 

" Fifth. That inasmuch as a convention providing for union might not be 
ratified by a suiiicient number of the States, it would be advisable for the Con- 
ference to conclude at the same time a treaty of friendship, peace, ai-bitration, 
etc., with the necessary provision for its development and application, as pro- 
posed by the Guatemala delegatiou, aud that the question of what steps could 
be taken to guarantee the carrying out of this treaty should be discussed, so 
that the fate that had befallen many other Ceiitral American treaties might not 
overtake this one. 

" Sixth and lastly. That a committee be named charged with the work of 
submitting to the consideration of the Conference within the shortest possible 
time projects for these suggested treaties. 

•■ P. BONILLA. 

" Jost Madeiz." 
" Washington, November 22, 1907." 



REPORT OF THE MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE AGAINST THE 
HONDURAS PROJECT. 

" To the Honorahle Peace Conference: 

" The undersigned members of the committee named to report on the projects 
submitted by the Houdurean delegate — Dr. Don PoHcarpo Bonilla — and by 
the Guatemala delegation. haAing in open session of the committee fully dis- 
cussed them without unfortunately having been able to agree with their 
colleagues upon a common report, have the honor to submit separately their 
opinion, manifesting, in so far as the project submitted by Doctor Bonilla is con- 
cerned, that while they consider the political union of Central America as the 
greatest aud noblest aspiration of patriotism, they equally think that the circum- 
stances aud conditions in which the Central American people find themselves 
at the moment are not propitious to decree national reconstruction, which, in 
order that it may be durable and solid, requires that their economic, moral, 
political, and material elements shall have been harmonized. 

" They do not think therefore that it is opportune to discuss iu the present 
Conference a project for the immediate establishment of a union, but solely 
those measiires which will tend toward preparing in a stable manner for this 
union, strengthening their means of communication, establishing a coasting 
ship commerce, linking together the economic and social interests of the people 
of the Republics, unifying their customs and tax laws, and encouraging the fre- 
quent meeting of Central American Conferences. The most prosperous devel- 
opment of the people of the Republics, and a definite union, both have their 
root in the uniform extension of their separate economic elements, which, creat- 
ing great material interests, will certainly form an indissoluble link between 
the JRepublics. When the iron rail destroys distances that now practically sep- 
arate the rich lands of the Republics, and develops their wealth through the 
exchange of their products, their people will, through this evolution, reach their 
aspirations and bridge their necessities. 

" To them we must confide the realization of the ideal of uniting the five 
sections of the old Patria. without that precipitancy which might compromise 
its success. It is not wise to think of passing rapidly to a sincere and pacific 
union. The steps taken here toward making peace certain in Central America, 
toward guaranteeing security for capital and labor. tow;trd improving their 
elements of production, their social interests, and their initiative in self-govern- 
ment, will contribute iu no small part toward this end. The pedagogical insti- 
tute to be created iu Costa Rica will also contribute to this end as an element 
of fraternity aud a propaganda of the principles of justice, of order, and of 
union, while the creation of the Central American Bureau, agreed upon at San 
Jose, will be of transcendental importance. 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEi^CE CONFEEENCE. 11 

" In the matter of adopting the treatj- of San Jose as a basis for discussion, 
as proposed by the Guatemalan delegation, the undersigned think the plan 
should be adopted. They equally think that first of all a committee should be 
designated to formulate a project for an obligatory arbitration treaty upon 
bases that will establish a permanent court of international justice for Central 
America. 

" Salvadoe Gallegos. 

" Antonio Batees Juaregtii. 

" J. B. Calvo." 



Considerable tension was manifested in the Conference as these two 
reports were read, and a growing purpose on the part of some of the 
delegations to insist that no discussion of the subject-matter of the 
report should take place. The view held by these delegates was that 
quite aside from the question of the merit or demerit of the subject, 
the matter of a political union of the Republics was a question en- 
tirely foreign to the purpose for which the Conference was called and 
one outside the powers of delegates to consider. Costa Eica strongly 
held this view. Noting in all this the appearance of an element of 
discord, the suggestion was made by the undersigned, supported by 
the Mexican representative, that the consideration of both reports be 
postponed, and that the Conference proceed to prepare projects for 
several important conventions — outside the scope of either report — 
notably one covering an international court. This course was adopted. 
As the Conference proceeded and evidences of its effectiveness began 
to appear in the drafts of treaties and conventions which embraced 
the general good of all, the question of union became less acute, and 
was disposed of to the satisfaction of all during one of the closing 
sessions by the inclusion in the minutes of the Conference of a written 
statement of their views presented by Doctor Bonilla, Doctor Madriz, 
and Senor Fiallos. (See the minutes of the fifteenth session of the 
Conference and Inclosure 18 herewith.) 

TREATIES AND CONVENTIOKS. 

At the fifth session of the Conference, November 27, the prepara- 
tion of the several treaties and conventions afterwards concluded be- 
tween the Eepublics was begun. Their consideration thereafter oc- 
cupied the entire attention of the delegates until the close of the 
Conference on December 20, either in the formal sessions of the Con- 
ference or in the many informal meetings of delegates which were 
held in order that the different points brought up in the tentative 
drafts for the treaty of peace and the convention creating the new 
court could be discussed and the committee having each in charge be 
enabled to keep its work in line with the wishes of the different 
delegations. 

The different treaties and conventions concluded between the five 
Republics consist of the following: 

(1) A general treaty of peace and amity (see Inclosure 5). 

(2) A convention additional to the general treaty of peace and 
amity (see Inclosure 6). 

(3) A convention for the establishment of a Central American 
court of justice (see Inclosure 7). 

(4) A protocol additional to the convention for the establishment 
of a Central American court of justice (see Inclosure 8). 



12 CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE, 

(5) An extradition convention (see Inclosure 9). 

(6) A convention for the establishment of an International Cen- 
tral American Bureau (see Inclosure 10). 

(7) A convention for the establishment of a Central American 
pedagogical institute (see Inclosure 11). 

(8) A convention concerning future Central American Confer- 
ences (see Inclosure 12). 

(9) A convention concerning railway communications (see In- 
closure 13). 

Of these the general treaty of peace and amity, and the convention 
creating the Central American international court of justice, represent 
the chief work of the Conference, while the second of these repre- 
sents an entirely new and important advance in international obliga- 
tions, and is the realization, in the form of a convention, of the efforts 
that have been made in the past to find a judicial method by which 
the peaceful and right settlement of international disputes could be 
assured. The two undertakings are to a great measure interdepend- 
ent, and were so intended. Indeed, this fact in many ways consti- 
tutes their strength. 

Both the treaty of peace and the convention creating the court run 
for a similar term of ten years. When the new court begins its func- 
tions it seems difficult to see how compliance with the terms of both 
undertakings can be avoided. This appears especially true when the 
unusual obligation in Article XXVil of the convention creating 
the court is considered. This states " That on no ground nor in any 
case will they (the signatory Eepublics) consider the (present) con- 
vention as void." It is certain that the intent and purpose of the 
signatory Republics was to insist that in every possible event the 
court shall remain as a piece of international machinery that can be 
relied on to adjust disputes. 

The following are briefly the chief features of the different treaties 
and conventions : 

THE TREATY OF PEACE AND AMITY. 

(a) Its absolutely obligatorv character for a period of ten vears. 
(Articles I and XIX.) 

(6) The declaration (Article II) that any disposition or measure 
tending to alter the constitutional organization of either of the Re- 
publics shall be deemed a menace to the i^eace of all. 

(c) The excellent and in many ways the treaty's most important 
clause (Article III), making the territory of Honduras neutral in 
conflicts that arise between the other four Republics, so long as Hon- 
duras remains neutral. It will be seen by a reference to the map of 
Central America that the position occupied by Honduras is such that 
if this neutrality of Honduranean territory is carried out, war be- 
tween the signatory Republics is practically made impossible. 

(d) Article VI, by the terms of which all Central Americans are 
mutually recognized as citizens, a principle embodied in several of 
their constitutions. 

(e) The recognition of the right of asylum on ships and the pro- 
hibition against taking anyone from such asylum except by due legal 
process and on an order from a competent judge. 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 13 

(/) The provisions of Articles XVI and XVII, by which political 
refugees and disturbers are not to be allowed to reside near the fron- 
tier of either of the five Republics. 

{g) The unusual obligations assumed in Articles I and II of the 
convention additional to the treaty, by which each Republic binds 
itself not to recognize in another a Government resulting from a 
coup d'etat nor to intervene in favor of or against the existing gov- 
ernment of another Republic in cases of disorder therein. 

(A) The stipulation in Article III of the convention additional to 
the treaty, by which they agreed to use their efforts to secure con- 
stitutional reforms that will prohibit the election of a president for 
a second term. 

FOLLOWING ARE THE CHIEF FEATURES OF THE CONVENTION CREATING A 
CENTRAL AMERICIN COURT OF JUSTICE. 

{a) Three forms of jurisdiction: The first (Article I) embraces 
the obligatory submission to the court of all questions arising be- 
tween them which can not be adjusted by the respective foreign 
offices of the contracting Republics. The second (Article II), the 
power to determine cases involving alleged violations of treaties or 
conventions where denial of justice is alleged by a citizen of one 
Republic against the Government of another. The third, the power 
to determine any question mutually submitted by two of the signa- 
tory Governments, or by one of them and one of its citizens or a citi- 
zen of another. The court (Article XXII) determines its compe- 
tency and in considering a case (Article XXI) is to decide questions 
of fact by its own criterion and questions of law by the principles 
of international law. 

(&) The court is to consist of five judges, to hold office for five 
years. The congress of each signatory Republic is to designate one 
judge and two alternates, who shall take their oath of office before 
the congress. With the exception of the judge appointed by the 
country in which the court is to be held, the judges receive an equal 
salary of $8,000 per annum, to be paid by the treasurer of the court 
out of a common fund, toward which each Republic is to contribute 
$10,000 yearly (Articles VI, VII, VIII). The court is to be located 
in Cartago, Costa Rica. 

{c) The judges are prohibited from holding other office or enga- 
ging in other work. They must elect a president and vice-president 
from among their number at their first sitting. A judge is not 
barred from sitting in a case in which the government that appointed 
him is a party. 

{d) A defendant country must submit its answer to the demanding 
country within sixty days. The court may, however, grant an exten- 
sion of twenty days (Articles XIV, XV, XVI), and can grant rea- 
sonable delays in order that all facts and evidence may be submitted. 

(e) The court must hand down its decision within thirty days from 
the date upon which the case has been finally submitted by both 
parties. 

(/) The decision is final. It must be in writing and must be a 
majority decision. A dissenting opinion must be in writing and both 
must be signed by all the judges (Articles XV, XXIII, XXIV). 



14 CENTRAL AMERICAK PEACE CONFERENCE. 

Provision is made by calling in the alternate judges for cases in which 
the judges fail to agree. 

(g) Interested parties may be represented before the court by 
counsel (Article XVII). 

(h) The court may appoint special commissioners to carry out its 
orders or may apply directly to the executive of a Government or to 
a tribunal of justice, but in every case the court's orders must reach 
their destination through the ministry for foreign affairs of the 
country. 

(i) The signatory Republics bind themselves to faithfully carry 
out the court's orders (Article XX). 

(_/') The most effective authority given the court is the provision 
made in Article XVIII. By the terms of this article the court can 
fix the statu quo in which both parties to a controversy submitted for 
its decision shall remain pending the consideration and decision of the 
case. This is intended to prevent the purchase of arms or military 
supplies or the moving or massing of troops by either of two con- 
tending States. 

(k) The decisions of the court are to be communicated to each of 
the signatory Republics, which severally bind themselves to aid in 
every peaceful way to have the decisions of the court faithfully com- 
plied with in every respect (Article XXV). 

(l) The stipulation in Article XXVII which provides that — 

" on no ground nor in any case will they (the signatory Republics) 
consider the present convention as void ; and that therefore they will 
consider it as being always in force during the term of ten years." 

Provision is made for the possible union of two or more of the Re- 
publics; in that event it is agreed that the court shall be suspended 
ipse facto, and a conference at once called to adjust the court to the 
new order. 

(m) Finding it impossible to fully agree upon a more extended 
scope of the court's jurisdiction than outlined under (a), above, an 
article was annexed by which a country approving this article would 
for itself agree to submit to the court internal disputes arising 
between its executive, legislative, and judicial branches. 

This court, which marks such an advance in methods for the peace- 
ful adjustment of international disputes, is an outgrowth of the 
efforts made by Secretary of State Root in his instructions to the 
delegates of the United States to the Second Peace Conference at 
The Hauge toward endeavoring to secure a " world's international 
court of justice." 

THE EXTRADITION CONVENTION. 

This differs but little from the extradition convention now in force 
between Mexico and the United States. Its terms, as regards the 
definition of crimes and the time within which extradition can take 
place, were carefully drawn, in order that they might conform to the 
existing penal legislation of the several Republics. 'V\niile citizens 
need not be delivered, provision is made that if not delivered they 
shall be tried by the courts of their own country for the crime with 
which they are charged. Especial care was taken in drafting the 
convention to prevent the possibility of its use in political offenses. 



CENTRAL AMEKICAlSr PEACE CONFERENCE. 15 

CONVENTION FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A CENTRAL AMERICAN BUREAU. 

. This convention is based on one of the conventions signed at San 
Jose de Costa Kica September 25, 1906, between Costa Rica, Salvador, 
Guatemala, and Honduras. 

The purpose of the Bureau is to encourage and develop the final 
union of the Central American Republics through general education, 
uniformity of civil laws, customs laws, monetary standards, and 
commerce. 

The Bureau is to be located in the city of Guatemala. It is to pub- 
lish a regular bulletin and to be equipped with a clerical force suffi- 
cient to enable it to carry out the above purpose. Its expenses are 
to be paid by the five Republics in equal parts. 

THE CONVENTION CREATING A CENTRAL AMERICAN PEDAGOGICAL 

INSTITUTE. 

This is also based on one of the San Jose de Costa Rica conven- 
tions of September, 19Q6. 

It creates a Central American normal school at San Jose, Costa 
Rica, the purpose being to bring about a common system of schools 
and education in Central America by the development and fitting 
of Central American teachers, both male and female, in this cen- 
tral school who will take charge of the schools of each of the five 
Republics. 

The administration and control of the school is vested in the Costa 
Rican Government, the other Governments having the right to desig- 
nate a member of the executive committee which is to manage the 
school. Each of the Republics can maintain 100 students, 50 of each 
sex, in the school, and must maintain at least 20 of each sex. 

The cost of the buildings and equipment and of the staif of teach- 
ers is to be paid in equal parts by the signatory Republics. 

The duration of this convention is fixed at fifteen years. 

The delegates to the Conference looked upon this school as a 
work of the utmost importance, believing that the greatest good 
would come to Central America through the education in this manner 
of teachers who Avould hereafter direct the schools throughout the 
different Republics. 

THE CONVENTION CONCERNING FUTURE CONFERENCES. 

This convention, like the two preceding ones to which reference 
has been made, has for its object the preparation of the people of 
Central America for ultimate political union in some form. 

It proAddes for the designation by each of the signatory countries 
of one or more commissioners to study the relations borne by the 
monetary systems of their respective countries to their foreign and 
internal commerce, and to carefully consider their customs, laws, 
and regTilations, weights and measures, and other economic questions 
affecting the relations of the Republics toward each other, the object 
being to have these commissioners endeavor to agree upon uniform 
measures in each regard, so that these can be considered at a Con- 
ference of plenipotentiaries to convene in Tegucigalpa on January 
1, 1909, and thereafter yearly for five years, to consider all economic 



16 CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

matters affectino- the relations of the Republics toAvarcl each other 
and to-\Yard foreign countries. 

THE CONVENTION ON COMMUNICATIONS. 

This convention deals with the project for a Pan-American Rail- 
way. It stipulates that the signatoiy Governments shall designate 
commissions to studj' and report suitable measures that can be adopted 
in each counti-y, so that the work of connecting the several Republics 
by railway may be carried out. These measures are to embrace rec- 
ommendations as to subsidies of land, special privileges, and guar- 
anties that might be given by each Republic to secure the building 
of railwaj^s that will unite Central America from south to north with 
Mexico and the United States. The interesting and valuable report 
of the committee which drew up the draft of this convention will be 
found herewith as Inclosure 13-a. 

THE CLOSING DAYS OF THE CONFERENCE. 

At the last session, held on December 16, the following motion, pre- 
sented b}^ the Nicaraguan delegation, w^as unanimously approved : 

" That the Confei-ence solicit an audience with His Excellency the 
" President of the United States, in order that the Conference in 
" a bodj^ might thank him for the great services he had rendered in 
" the interest of order in Central America and for the generous hos- 
" pitality that had been extended the delegates. 

" That with the same object the delegates should call on the Secre- 
" tary of State, Hon. Elihu Root. 

" That a special committee be named to visit the Citj^ of Mexico, 
" and in a similar manner express the thanks of the Conference to 
" His Excellency the President, General Don Porfirio Diaz, and to his 
" Minister for Foreign Affairs, Seiior Don Ignacio Mariscal. 

" Further, that there be included in the minutes of the closing 
" session of the Conference a vote of thanks on the part of the Con- 
" ference to his excellency, the Mexican Ambassador, Seiior Don 
" Enrique C. Creel, representing Mexico in the Conference, and to 
" Mr. William I. Buchanan, representing the United States of Amer- 
" ica in the Conference, for their efficient cooperation in the work of 
" the Conference. 

In response to the above, the President informed the Conference 
that he would be glad to receive the delegates on such day as might 
best suit their convenience. At the close of the final business session 
of the Conference, which took ]3lace on the morning of December 20, 
the delegates in a body called on the President and on the Secretary 
of State to inform them that the work of the Conference had been 
happily concluded and to express to each in accordance with the 
resolution of the Conference the deep sense of .obligation felt by the 
delegates for the aid and encouragement they had received through 
the interest and good will that ha"d been shown by the President in 
their work and for the constant and more than helpful efforts that 
had been daily extended them by the Secretary of State. 

The President in response to the words of the president of the 
Conference assured the delegates of the satisfaction with which the 



CENTEAL AMERICAlsr PEACE CONFERElfCE. 17 

Government of the United States had followed the excellent work 
done by the Conference m the interest of the peace and development 
of Central America, and of his deep and cordial interest in the future 
of their several Republics and his confident belief that the results 
of the Conference would be for the lasting and permanent good of 
each of the Republics. 

In addressing the Secretary of State when received by him at the 
Department the delegates were most cordial in their references to 
his efforts to bring about a successful termination of the work of the 
Conference, and especially so in their allusions to the kindly and 
constant help that had been given by the Assistant Secretary, Hon. 
Robert Bacon, in the lengthy negotiations that preceded the Con- 
ference. 

At the last session the Conference designated Dr. Don Policarpo 
Bonilla,' of Honduras, and Dr. Jose Madriz., of Nicaragua, as the 
special committee of the Conference to visit Mexico to express to 
President Porfirio Diaz and to the Mexican minister for foreign 
affairs the thanks and acknowledgements of the delegates for the 
assistance extended by the Mexican Government. 

In this connection I desire to make especial mention of the excel- 
lent services rendeped by his excellency the Mexican ambassador, 
Seiior Don Enrique Creel, the representative of his Government in the 
Conference. His sincere interest in the work, his tact and prudence, 
coupled with his genial personality, made him a dominant factor in 
bringing abotit much of the excellent work done by the Conference. 

RECOMMENDATION OF AMNESTY. 

At its session on December 2 the Conference unanimously adopted a 
motion presented by Doctor Ugarte of the Honduras delegation, at 
the close of an eloquent address (a. translation of which will be found 
herewith as Inclosure 14) . that the Conference simultaneously address 
each of the Central American Republics, urging them in keeping with 
the Central American spirit of concord represented by the Conference 
then in session, to grant full amnesty for all political offenses and for 
common offenses connected with those of a political character. 

This resolution was transmitted by the president of the Conference 
by cable on December 20 to each of the Central American presidents 
in the following form: 

The Central American Peace Conference on happily closing its work to-day, 
has unanimously agreed to recommend to the Governments of Central America 
that they concede full amnesty for all political offenses and for offenses con- 
nected with these. 

In communicating to your excellency this generous appeal we confide in your 
high sentiments in our hope that you will be good enough to thus crown' our 
work with a measure that will be a token of reconciliation and fraternity and 
a worthy beginning of an era of concord for our Central American family. 

To this cablegram the following cable replies were received : 

FROM THE PRESIDENT OF NICARAGUA. 

"Pleased to hear of happy termination of Central American Peace Con- 
ference. In accordance with high sentiments that animate the honorable dele- 
gates, my Government has already granted amnesty for political offenses. I 
congratulate the honorable delegates. 

" J. S. Zelaya." 
37200—08 2 



18 CENTRAL AMEEICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



FROM THE PRESIDENT OF SALVADOR. 



" Impresserl with the pleasing appeal of the Conference. I have the honor 
to advise yon that with respect to Sal\ador, the Government has decreed am- 
nesty since the latter part of November. 

" President Figueroa." 



FROM THE president OF COSTA RICA. 



" I applaud the generous appeal of the Conference. In Costa Rica amnesty 
is unnecessary, because no one is at present suffering on account of political 
offenses or others connected therewith, or otherwise it wQuld be pleasing to 
me to comply with the request of the Conference. 

" Gonzalez Yiquez." 



FROM THE president OF HONDURAS. 

" General amnesty decreed, according to Conference's desire. 



'• Davila." 



THE FORMAL CLOSING SESSION. 

The formal closing of the Conference took place at 3 p. m., on 
December 20, all of the delegates being present, together with the 
representatives in the Conference of the Mexican and the United 
States Governments and the secretaries of the different delegations. 

The Secretary of State presided, as he' had done at the opening- 
session. The Assistant Secretaiy of State, Mr. Bacon; the Third 
Assistant Secretary of State, Mr. Wilson : the first and second secre- 
taries of the Mexican embassy. Senores Godoy and x^lvarez; the 
Director and Secretary of the Bureau of the American Republics, 
Mr. Barrett and Sehor Yanes, and Mr. Wm. E. Curtis, a former 
director of the Bureau of the American Republics, were among those 
who witnessed the closing of the Conference. 

The address made by the president of the Conference, Dr. Don 
Luis Anderson, the remarks made by the Mexican ambassador, and 
the address made bj^ Secretary Root on declaring the Conference 
closed will be founcl herewith as inclosures 15, 16, and 17, respec- 
tively. 

CONCLUSION. 

The delegates at the close of their work expressed themselves as 
most appreciative of the conveniences afforded them by the Depart- 
ment of State and the Bureau of the American Republics for the 
meetings of the Conference and were especially complimentary of 
the services rendered the Conference in the work of translation and 
in connection with the clerical force furnished delegates by Mr. 
W. T. S. Doyle, representing the Department of State. 

In concluding this report I desire to express my deep thanks for 
the honor conferred by my designation as the representative of the 
United States in the Conference. 

William I. Buchanan. 

Buffalo, N. Y., March 20, 1908. 

Hon. Elihu Root, Secretary of State, 

Washington, B.C. 



[Inclosure No. 1.] 

MINUTES OF THE PRELIMINARY CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFER- 
ENCE, SEPTEMBER, 1907. • 

[Translation.] 

PBELIMINAKY CONFERENCE. 

First session. 

At lialf past 4 in the afternoon of the 11th of September, 1907, the diplomatic 
representatives of the five Republics of Central America met in the city of 
Washington, that is to say: Don Joaqnin B. Calvo for Costa Rica, Don Federico 
Mejia for Salvador. Dr. Luis Toledo Herrarte for Guatemala, Dr. Angel Ugarte 
for Honduras, and Dr. Luis Felipe Corea for Nicaragua, there being also pres- 
ent Mr. Alvey A. Adee, Acting Secretary of State of . the United States of 
America, and Mr. Jose F. Godoy. charge d'affaires of the United Mexican 
States. The session opened and was conducted as follows : 

First : Secretary Adee, in a brief and able address, stated the object of the 
invitation extended to the representatives of Central America to enable them, 
under the hospitality of the Department of State, to discuss the question of the 
peace of those Republics, expressing the good will and the desire of the Amer- 
ican Government of aiding as far as possible in the accomplishment of so 
beneficial a purpose. 

Second : Minister Godoy. in the name of his Government, adhered entirely 
to the sentiments expressed by Mr. Adee. 

Third : The nomination of ofiicers was then considered, and Ministers Calvo 
and Ugarte were elected president and secretary, respectively. 

Fourth : The president, Mr. Calvo, made a short exposition of the object 
of the preliminary conference, which is to discuss a protocol to fix the place, 
date, and general bases for a conference of Central American plenipotentiaries, 
who should consider the means for preserving peace and good relations be- 
tween those Republics. 

Fifth : Mr. Corea stated that he had not been empowered by his Government 
to discuss the points referred to, but that nevertheless he would remain at 
the meeting in his personal character and would ask instructions with a view 
to taking part officially in the future. 

Sixth : Mr. Toledo Harrarte said that he had precise instructions in regard 
to the fixing of the date and place of the Conference, but not for discussing 
or voting upon a protocol for that purpose. He added also that he would re- 
main at the session and would ask the instructions which he lacked. 

Seventh. Mr. Ugarte stated that he had full powers from his Government, 
and expressed the belief that the idea of the Conference was accepted in whole 
by the Central American Governments, since it was spoken of in the telegrams 
from the Presidents of the United States and Mexico, which were accepted un- 
conditionally by those Republics, and that in discharging his mission he would 
meet the hopes and desires of his Government clearly defined in favor of peace. 
Messrs. Calvo and Mejia stated that they had full powers and instructions. 

Eighth. The place for the Conference was then voted upon, and, by the vote 
of Ministers Calvo, Mejia, Toledo Herrarte. and Ugarte, the city of Washington 
was selected. 

Ninth. The date for the meeting of the Conference being under discussion, it 
was settled by the same votes that it should open from the 1st to the 15th of 
November of the present year. 

Tenth. After the general reading of the proposed protocol, which is inserted 
below, it was discussed in detail, and was approved by the ministers of Costa 
Rica, Salvador, and Honduras, in their official character, and' in their personal 

19 



20 CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

character by the ministers of Guatemala and Nicaragua, pending the receipt 
of their respective instructions. The text of tlie protocol is as follows : 

" We, the representatives of the five Republics of Central America, having 
met in the city of Washington on the initiative of their Excellencies the Presi- 
dents of the United States of America and of the United Mexican States, to 
settle upon the means of preserving the good relations between the said Repub- 
lics and of obtaining an enduring peace in those countries ; and with the purpose 
of fixing upon the bases for bringing to a realization these ends, being duly 
authorized by our respective Governments, have agreed to the following : 

•'Article I. Upon receipt of the formal invitation which, as is understood, will 
be issued simultaneously to each one of the five Republics of Central America, 
by their Excellencies the Presidents of the United States of America and of the 
United Mexican States, a Conference of the plenipotentiary representatives, 
which the governments of the Republics referred to shall appoint for that pur- 
pose — that is to say, Costa Rica, Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nica- 
ragua — will meet in the first fifteen days of November next, in the city of 
Washington, to discuss the steps to be taken and the measures to be adopted 
for the purpose of adjusting any differences which exist between the said Re- 
publics or between any of them, and for the purpose of concluding a treaty 
which shall define their general relations. 

"Article II. Their Excellencies the Presidents of the Republics of Central 
America will invite their Excellencies the Presidents of the United States of 
America and of the United Mexican States to appoint, if agreeable to them, 
their respective representatives who, in a purely friendly character, shall lend 
their good and impartial offices toward the realization of the purposes of the 
Conference. 

"Article III. While the Conference is in session and disclfiarging the high 
mission intrusted to it, the five Central American Republics — that is to say, 
Costa Rica, Salvador, Guatemala. Honduras, and Nicaragua — agree to main- 
tain among themselves peace and good relations, and they assume, respectively, 
the obligation not to commit, nor to permit to be committed, any act that can dis- 
turb the mutual tranquillity. To such end, all display of arms on the respective 
frontiers shall cease and the maritime forces shall be withdrawn to their juris- 
dictional waters. 

"Article IV. If, unfortunately, any unforeseen question should arise between 
any of the said Republics while the Conference is in session, and if it can not be 
settled by amicable diplomatic course, it is mutually agreed that the interested 
parties shall submit the difference to the friendly advice of His Excellency the 
President of the United States of America, or of the United Mexican States, or 
of both Presidents conjointlj'-, according to the case, and in conformity with the 
agreement to this effect which may be reached." 

Eleventh. The session adjourned at 6 o'clock in the afternoon. 

Signed at Washington on the 11th of September, 1907. 

J. B. Calvo, President. 
ANGtii, Ugarte, Secretary. 

F. Mejia. 

Luis Toledo Herrarte. 

Ltjis F. Corea. 

second session. 

The second session was opened in the city of Washington at 4 o'clock in the 
afternoon of the 16th of September, 1907, there being present, as in the previ- 
ous session, the diplomatic representatives of the five Republics of Central 
America — Messrs. Calvo, Mejia, Toledo Herrarte, Ugarte, and Corea, and Mr. 
Adee, Acting Secretary of State of the United States, and Mr. Godoy, charge 
d'affaires of the United Mexican States. 

First : The minutes of the previous session were read and approved. 

Second : The representatives of Guatemala and Nicarauga stated they had 
received from their Governments the necessary powers to sign the protocol in- 
serted in the foregoing minutes, and, after the reading of this document, solemn 
signature was given to the seven copies which had been made for the represent- • 
atives of Central America and Secretary Adee and Mr. Godoy, who, in the name 
of their respective Governments, attended the preliminary conference. 

Third : It was agreed by acclamation to give to their Excellencies the Presi- 
dents of the United States of America and of the United Mexican States the 



CENTRAL AMERICAlsr PEACE CONFEEENCE. 



21 



most sincere thanks for their laudable and disinterested efforts on behalf of the 
peace of Central America, giving due recognition to His Excellency President 
Roosevelt for the good will he has shown in consenting that the Peace Conter- 
ence be held in Washington ; and to His Excellency President Diaz for the gen- 
erous offers of the same nature, and, as regards Mexico, which he has been 
pleased to make. , ^, . , „ , . 

Fourth • It was agreed to preserve in a special book the minutes ot the ses- 
sions of the preliminary conference which, signed by all the representatives of 
Central America, should be presented to the delegates who, by designation of 
their respective Governments, shall constitute the forthcoming Central American 
Peace Conference. 

Fifth : The work of the preliminary conference being terminated, the session 
adjourned at 6 o'clock in the afternoon. 

Signed at Washington the 17th of September, 1907. 

J. B. Calvo, 

President. 
ANoiiL Ugaete, 

Secretary. 

F. Mejia. 

Luis Toledo Herrarte. 

Luis F. Corea. 



[Inelosure No. 2.] 
CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

RULES OF PROCEDURE. 

Article I. The Conference shall have for a basis in its deliberations and reso- 
lutions Article I of the protocol of September 17, 1907, signed in Washington by 
the ministers plenipotentiary of Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, 
and Salvador. ^ , ^ , . ,, 

Article II. The Secretary of State of the United States of America, or the 
person he shall designate, shall open the first session of the Conference. 

The representatives of Their Excellencies the President of the United States 
of America and of the United Mexican States, appointed in accordance with 
Article II of the protocol, shall occupy places of honor in the Conference. 

Article III. There shall be a president and two secretaries of the Conference, 
elected by a vote of absolute majority of the delegations. 

The numerical order of the delegations shall be determined by lot for the pur- 
pose of establishing the precedence of their seating and the turn in which each 
shall fill the vacancy which may be in the presidency. 

The delegation which has the right of filling the presidency at any session 
shall designate the delegate who shall discharge the duties of vice-president. 

Article IV. The functions of the president are: 

1. To direct the sessions of the Conference and to bring up for discussion, in 
their turn, the matters included in the order of the day. 

2. To see that each matter submitted to the Conference is referred to a com- 
mittee, unless it be agreed by a vote of majority to take it into immediate 
consideration. 

3. To give the fioor to delegates in the order in which they ask it. 

4. To decide questions of order which arise in the discussions; provided, 
however, that if any delegation shall request it, the decision given shall be put 
to vote by the Conference. 

5. To call for a vote and to announce to the Conference the result of the vote. 

6. To acquaint the Conference, through the secretaries, and at the conclusion 
of each session, with the subjects which are to come up in the next session ; but 
the Conference may make such changes as may seem proper, whether in respect 
to the hour of meeting or the order in which the pending questions are to be 
discussed. 

7. To direct the secretary, when the minutes have been approved, to give an 
account to the Conference of the matters which have arisen since the previous 



22 CENTBAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

S. To take any necessary measures to maintain oi'der and to have the rules 
strictly carried out. 
Article V. The functions of the secretaries are : 

1. To organize the office with the necessary employees. 

2. To receive, distribute, and ansvper the official correspondence in accordance 
with the directions of the Conference. 

3. To keep, or cause to be kept, reports of the sessions, and to superintend 
their printing and distribution to the delegations. 

4. To distribute to the committees the subjects upon v^^hich they are to make 
recommendations, and to put at the disposal, of said committees everything 
necessary for the discharge of their work. 

0. To draw up the order of the day, in accordance with the instructions of 
the president. 

Article VI. The Conference shall meet on the days and at the hours named 
by the president. 

Aeticle VII. For a quorum, it is necessary that all of the delegations shall be 
represented at the session by some of its members. 

Article VIII. When the session is called to order, the minutes of the previous 
session shall be read by the secretary, unless the reading is dispensed with. Note 
shall be made of the remarks which any delegate may make regarding the 
minutes, and the Conference shall then proceed to approve them. 

Article IX. The order of the day being brought up by the president, the 
Conference shall discuss it first generally, and those matters which are approved 
shall be then discussed in detail, the discussion including each of the articles of 
which the project is composed. 

Article X. Bj^ a vote of four of the delegations, the Conference may dispense 
with the usual procedure and take into immediate consideration any matter, dis- 
cussing it generally or in detail. 

Article XI. The amendments proposed to the proposals in debate shall be re- 
ferred to a committee, when the Conference so agrees, and shall be voted upon 
before the article or proposal whose text it is proposed to alter. 

Article XII. The delegation of each Kepublic shall have one vote. The vote 
shall be taken by affirmative or negative sign, unless any delegate shall ask that 
it be by roll call or by ballot. 

In the last case, each delegation shall deposit in a ballot box a paper contain- 
ing the name of the State it represents and the vote it gives. The secretary shall 
read the ballots aloud and so count the votes. 

Article XIII. The Conference shall not vote upon any motion or proposition 
except when all of the delegations are represented at a session. 

Article XIV. The resolutions of the Conference shall be adopted unanimously, 
except in the instances provided for in these rules ; provided, however, that those 
resolutions upon which three or more delegations are in accord shall be consid- 
ered as obligatory upon them, and as a recommendation for the others. 

Article XV. Xo delegation shall speak more than three times upon the same 
subject, nor more than twenty minutes each time. Any delegate, however, has 
the right to the floor for as much as five minutes, for a question of order, to 
reply to personal allusions, or to explain his vote, and the author of a project 
may speak once again, but not to exceed twenty minutes. 

Article XVI. Any delegate may submit to the Conference his opinion upon the 
matter or point under discussion, and request that it be included in the minutes 
of the. session at which it is presented. 

Article XVII. The deliberations of the Conference shall be secret, and there- 
fore access to the Conference Hall shall only be had by the secretaries of the 
delegation, the Director of the International Bureau of the American Republics, 
and the employees of the Conference. 

Article XVIII. The secretary, at the close of each session, shall draft a state- 
ment for the press, which shall contain a brief account of what has taken place 
in the session and the text of the resolutions adopted or definitely rejected. The 
delegates who desire to do so may furnish the secretaries with a brief resume of 
their discourses, and in such case the statement furnished to the press shall 
refer to the resume, and it shall be added thereto. 

The secretary shall keep a book to preserve copies of the statements or ex- 
tracts given to the press. 

Article XIX. The recommendation of the committees, and the projects and 
antecedents to which they refer shall be printed in Spanish and English. 

Article XX. The minutes approved by the Conference shall be signed by the 
president and secretai.-ies, and shall be printed in Spanish and English, double 



CENTEAL AMBEICAN PEACE CONFERElSrCE. 23 

column pages, aucl iu sufficient number for the use of the delegations. The 
original minutes and other documents of the Conference shall be deposited in the 
archives of the Intei'national Bureau of American Republics. 

Abticle XXI. At the next to the last session, the written or printed copy of 
the minutes, in Spanish and English, shall be discussed and approved, and the 
paper shall include the resolutions and recommendations discussed in the Con- 
ference and approved during the sessions. The original copy of the minutes 
shall be signed by all the delegations. 

Article XXII. These rules of procedure may be amended by four votes. 



[Inclosure No. 3.] 



MINUTES OF THE CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE (Preliminary 
sessions). NOVEMBER, 1907. 

[Translation.] 

Peeparatory Meetings. 

First preparatory session. 

By virtue of the provisions of the protocol signed on the 17th of September, 
1907, in the city of Washington, there gathered in the office of the International 
Bureau of American Republics, at 3.45 p. m. of the 12th of November, 1907, 
the delegates of Costa Rica, Dr. Luis Anderson and Don Joaquin B. Calvo ; 
of Guatemala, Dr. Antonio Batres .Jauregui, Don "S'ictor Sanchez Ocana, and 
Dr. Luis Toledo Herrarte ; of Honduras, Doctor Policarpo Bonilla, Don E. Con- 
stantino Fiallos, and Doctor Angel Ugarte; of Nicaragua, Dr. Luis Felipe 
Corea ; and of Salvador, Di-. Salvador Gallegos, Dr. Salvador Rodriguez G., 
and Don Federico Mejia, proceeding in the following manner : 

First : Mr. Mejia proposed that Messrs. Calvo and Ugarte, who were chosen 
' president and secretary at the preliminary Conference, should continue pro- 
visionally to exercise those offices. ■ 

Second : The programme of work was discussed, and Doctor Gallegos sub- 
mitted a draft of rules as a basis for discussion. 

Third: It was agreed that a committee composed of the delegates Anderson, 
Batres, Bonilla, Corea, and Gallegos, should draw up, in the form of articles, 
the draft of rules above referred to. 

Fourth: Mr. Corea suggested that a programme covering the work of the 
Conference should be made up, and it was decided that this matter should be 
included in the redaction of the rules. 

Fifth : The session took recess for an hour. 

Sixth : The session being called to order, the project presented by the com- 
mittee was read and it was agreed to discuss it at the next session. 
Seventh : The session adjourned at 7 p. m. 

J. B. Calvo, 

President. 
Angel' Ugarte, 

Secretary, 
Second preparatory session. 

Convened at 3 p. m. of the 13th of November. 1907, in the reception room of 
the International Bureau of American Republics, the same delegates who were 
at the previous session, and also Doctor Madriz, delegate for Nicaragua, began 
business as follows : 

First : The minutes of the previous session were read and approved. 

Second : Then took place the reading and discussion of the draft of rules sub- 
mitted by the committee, -articles 1 and 2 being approved. 

Third. In the discussion of article 3 Delegate Toledo Herrarte moved that 
it be modified so as to provide that the five delegations should alternate in the 
presidency. Delegates Ugarte and Anderson objected to the motion, and it was 
rejected by four votes. With regard to the same article motion was made by 
Delegate Corea that two secretaries be elected instead of one, and this was 
approved. 



24 CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

Fourth : Article 4 was approved, and article 5 was suppressed as unneces- 
sary, upon motion of Delegate Ugarte. 

Fifth : Articles 6, 7, 8, and 9 were approved with slight verbal modifications. 

Sixth : Article 10 being read, it was approved with the modification " four " 
in place of " two-thirds," upon motion of Delegate Mejla. 

Seventh : Articles 11 and 12 were amended, giving them greater clearness, 
upon motion of Delegate Bonilla. 

Eighth : Article 13 was approved. 

Ninth : Articles 14 and 15 were read, and the delegates, not being able to 
agree in regard to them, suspended discussion, on motion of Delegate Bonilla. 
The committee on rules reconsidered them, and the following form was sub- 
stituted : 

" The resolutions of the Conference shall be adopted unanimously, except 
in the instances provided for in these rules : Provided, however, That those 
resolutions upon which three or more delegations are in accord shall be con- 
sidered as obligatory upon them and as a recommendation for the others." 

Tenth : Article 16 was approved. 

Eleventh : Article 17 was modified, on motion of Delegate Anderson, omitting 
therefrom ideas which were deemed unnecessary. 

Twelfth : Article IS was approved, and a further article was added, as 
follows : 

" Each delegate may submit to the Conference his opinion upon the matter or 
point under discussion, and request that it be included in the minutes of the 
session at which it is presented." 

Thirteenth: Article 20 was suppressed. Articles 21, 22, and 23 were ap- 
proved, with some amendments proposed by Delegates Bonilla and Madriz, and 
the rules were concluded as follows:^ . 

Fourteenth : The selection of president of the Conference was thereupon pro- 
ceeded with, and Delegate Anderson was chosen for this post by four votes, the 
Costa Rican delegation having voted for Doctor Gallegos. 

Fifteenth : On motion of Delegate Gallegos, lots were cast for the precedence 
of the delegations, in conformity with Article III of the rules, resulting in the 
following order : Nicaragua, Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. 

Sixteenth : Delegate Rodriguez was chosen for secretarj' by five votes, and 
likewise Delegate Madriz by three votes. 

Seventeenth : A committee was named, composed of Delegates Batres, Bonilla, 
and Corea, to accompanj- the Secretarj- of State to the place of the Conference ; 
another committee, composed of Delegates Mejia and Sanchez Ocana, to ac- 
company Ambassador Creel; and another, composed of Delegates Fiallos and 
Madriz, to accompany Mr. Buchanan. 

Eighteenth : A committee was appointed, composed of Delegates Calvo and 
Ugarte, . to receive, at the door of the reception room of the Conference, the 
Secretary of State. Ambassador Creel, and Mr. Buchanan. 

Nineteenth : The delegates to the Conference voted, by acclamation, expres- 
sion of thanks to Delegates Calvo and Ugarte, president and secretary, respec- 
tively, of the preparatory sessions, for the services thej- had given in those capac- 
ities; and 

Twentieth : The session adjourned at 8.30 p. m. 

J. B. Calvo, 

President. 
Angi^l Ugarte, 

Secretary. 



[Inclosure No. 4.] 

(INAUGURAL SESSION.) 

At 2.30 in the afternoon on the 14th of November, 1907, in the city of Wash- 
ington, the delegates of the five Central American Republics assemjjled at the 
Central American Peace Conference, as follows: The Hon. Luis Anderson and 
Don Joaquin Bernardo Calvo, for Costa Rica ; Drs. Don Jose Madriz and Don 
Luis Felipe Corea, for Nicaragua ; Dr. Don Salvador Gallegos, Dr. Don Salvador 
Rodriguez G., and Don Federico Mejia, for Salvador; the Hon. Antonio Batres 
jauregui, Dr. Don Luis Toledo Herrarte, and Don Victor Sanchez Ocana, for 
Guatemala ; and Dr. Don Policarpo Bonilla, Dr. Don Angel Ugarte, and Don E. 

^ For rules see page 21. 



CENTRAL AMERICAN" PEACE CONFERENCE. 



25 



Constantino Fiallos, for Honduras. There were also present His Excellency 
Mr Elihu Root, Secretary of State of the United States of America ; His Excel- 
lency Enrique C. Creel, the Ambassador of the United Mexican States and the 
Representative of the Government of Mexico at the Conference; His Excellency 
Robert Bacon, Assistant Secretary of State of the United States of America; 
His Excellency William I. Buchanan, the Representative of the Government of 
the United States of America at the Conference, and Mr. Jos6 F. Godoy, secre- 
tary of embassy of Mexico. 

The session commenced as follows : ■ j. ^ ^ 

First • Delegate Calvo, as president of the preliminary Conference, introduced 
Secretary Root, who took the chair and declared the Peace Conference opened. 

Second- Secretarv Root delivered a brief address, greeting the members in 
the name' of the Government of the United States, and expressing his desire 
that the Conference should bring about the permanent peace of Central America. 
The ambassador of Mexico then read an address, in which he expressed the 
fraternal attitude of his Government toward Central America and its good 
wishes for the successful outcome of the Conference. In the name of the 
Conference, Mr. Anderson replied to both addresses. . ^ ., -, r.^^^ 

Third- Delegate Ugarte, secretary ad interim, read the protocol ot the Uta. 
of September which is to serve as the basis for the work of the Conference, 
and the minutes of the preliminary sessions held by the plenipotentiaries of 
Central America. The reading of one of the minutes of the prelimmary ses- 
sions of the Conference was dispensed with. ^ , , ^ ^ . 

Fourth: Mr. Root named Messrs. .Jose Madriz and Salvador Rodriguez G. 
secretaries ad interim of the Conference. 

Fifth • The secretary read the list of members of the delegations m the order 
in which they appear in the diplomatic list of the Department of State at 

Sixth* The communication from the Department of State of the 11th instant 
was then read, which convened the delegates of the five Republics to a meeting 
in this city in the International Bureau of American Republics at 2.30 o'clock 
this afternoon. .^^ ■ j. ^ 

Seventh- On motion of the Secretary ot State, a committee was appointed, 
composed of Messrs. Calvo, Toledo Herrarte, Fiallos, Corea, and Mejia, to 
examine the credentials of the delegates. . 

Eighth: The committee on credentials reported that all the credentials were 

in due form., „ ^ ^ x i j. i 4- 

Ninth: On the motion of the Secretary or State, steps were taken to elect a 
president of the Conference. Delegate Luis Anderson was elected by four 
votes— Costa Rica having voted for Dr. Salvador Gallegos. The Secretary of 
State announced the result of the election and turned over the chair to Mr. 

Anderson. , x ^ • „ 

Tenth - The president invited the Conference to choose permanent secretaries. 
Delegate Madriz was elected by i votes and Delegate Rodriguez G. unani- 
mously. Doctor Fiallos received the vote of the delegation of Nicaragua. 

Eleventh- It was then proceeded to elect honorary presidents of the Con- 
ference and His Excellency Elihu Root, the Secretary of State of the United 
States 'of America, and His Excellency Don Ignacio Mariscal, secretary of 
state of the United Mexican States, were elected by acclamation. 

Twelfth : The president appointed a permanent committee on rules, composed 
of Messrs. Gallegos, Batres Jauregui, and Bonilla. 
The session adjourned at 4.20 p. m. 

Luis Anderson, F. Me.jia, 

Antonio Batbes Jaukegui, J. B. Calvo, 

Victor Sanchez O., Luis Toledo Herrarte, 

Angel Ugarte, E. Constantino Fiallos, 

PoLiCARPO Bonilla, Luis F. Corea, 

Jose Madriz, Salvador Rodriguez G., 

Salvador Gallegos, Delegates to the Peace Conference. 



26 CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

[Inclosure No. 4a.] 

ADDRESS OF THE HON. ELIHTJ ROOT. SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE 
UNITED STATES. WHEN CALLING THE CONFERENCE TO ORDER ON NO- 
VEMBER 14, 1907. 

Mr. Ambassador and Gentlemen of the Five Central American Republics: 
Usage devolves upon me as the bead of the foreign office of the country in 
which you are assembled to call this meeting together; to' call it to order and to 
preside during the formation of your organization. I wish to express to you, 
at the outset, the high appreciation of the Government of the United States of 
the compliment which you pay to us in selecting the city of Washington as the 
field of your labors in behalf of the rule of peace and order and brotherhood 
among the peoples of Central America. It is most gratifying to the people of the 
United States that you should feel that yoxi will find here an atmosphere favor- 
able to the development of the ideas of peace and unity, of progress and mutual 
helpfulness, in place of war and revolution and the retardation of the principles 
of liberty and justice. 

So far as a sincere and friendly desire for success in your labors may furnish 
a favorable atmosphere, you certainly will have it h6re. The people of the 
United States are sincere believers in the principles that you are seeking to 
apply to the conduct of your international affairs in Central America. They 
sincerely desire the triumph and the control of the principles of liberty and 
order everywhere in the world. They especially desire that the blessings which 
follow the control of those principles may be enjoyed by all the people of our 
sister Eepublics on the Western Hemisphere, and'we further believe that it will 
be. from the most selfish point of view, for our interests to have peaceful, pros- 
perous, and progressive Republics iU' Central America. 

The people of the United Mexican States and of the United States of America 
are now enjoying great benefits from the mutual interchange of commerce and 
friendly intercourse between the two countries of Mexico and the United States. 
Prosperity, the increase of wealth, the success of enterprise — all the results that 
come from the intelligent use of wealth^are being enjoyed by the people of both 
countries, through the friendly intercourse that utilizes for the ]">eople of each 
coTmtry the prosperity of the other. We in the United States should be most 
happy if the States of Central America might move with greater rapidity along 
the pathway of such prosperity, of such progress, to the end that we may share, 
through commerce and friendly intercourse, in your new prosperity and aid you 
by GUY prosperity. 

We can not fail, gentlemen, to be admonished by the many failures which 
have been made by the people of Central America to establish agreement 
among themselves which would be lasting, that the task you have before you is 
no easy one. The trial has often been made and the agreements which have 
been elaborated, signed, ratified, seem to have been written in water. Yet I 
can not resist the impression that we have at last come to' the threshold of a 
happier day for Central America. Time is necessary to political development. 
I have great confidence in the judgment that in the long course of time, through 
successive steps of failure, through the accompanying education of your people, 
through the encouraging examples which now, more than ever before, surround 
you. success will be attained in securing unity and progress in other countries 
of the New Hemisphere. Through the combination of all these, you are at a 
point in your history where it is possible for you to take a forward step that 
will remain. 

It would ill become me to attempt to propose or suggest the steps which you 
should take, but I will venture to observe that the all-important thing for you 
to accomplish is that while you enter into agreements which will, I am sure, be 
framed in consonance with the most peaceful aspirations and the most rigid 
sense of justice, you shall devise also some practical methods under which it 
will be possible to secure the performance of those agreements. The mere 
declaration of general principles, the mere agreement upon lines of policy and 
of conduct are of little value, unless there be practical and definite methods 
provided by which the responsibility for failing to keep the agreement may 
be fixed upon some definite person, and the public sentiment of Central America 
brought to bear to prevent the violation. The declaration that a man is en- 
titled to his liberty would be of little value with us in this country were it not 
for the writ of habeas corpus that makes it the duty of a specific judge, when 
applied to, to inquire into the cause of his detention and set him at liberty if he 



CEISTTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 27 

is unjustly detained. The provision which declares that a man should not be 
deprived of his property without due process of law would be of little value 
were it not for the practical provision which imposes on specific oflScers the duty 
of nullifying every attempt to take away a man's property without due process 
of law. 

To find practical definite methods by which you shall make it somebody's 
duty to see that the great principles you declare are not violated, by which if 
an attempt be made to violate them the responsibility may be fixed upon the 
guilty individual — those, in my judgment, are the problems to which you should 
specifically and most earnestly address yourselves. 

I have confidence in your success, because I have confidence in your sincerity 
of purpose, and because I believe that your people have developed to the point 
where they are ready to receive and to utilize such results as you may work out. 
Why should you not live in peace and harmony? You are one people in fact, 
your citizenship is interchangeable — your race, your religion, your customs, 
your laws, your lineage, your consanguinity and lineage, your social relations, 
your sympathies, your aspirations, and your hopes for the future are the same. 
It can be nothing but the ambition of individuals who care more for their self- 
ish purposes than for the good of their country that can prevent the people 
of the Central American States from living together in peace and harmony. 

It is my most earnest hope, it is the hope of the American Government and 
people, that from this Conference may come the specific and practical measures 
which will enable the people of Central America to march on with equal step 
abreast of the most progressive nations of modern civilization, to fulfill their 
great destinies in that brotherhood which nature has intended them to preserve 
and to exile forever from that land of beauty and of wealth incalculable the 
fraternal strife which has hitherto held you back in the development of your 
civilization. 



[Inclosiire No. 4b.] 



ADDRESS OP HIS EXCELLENCY THE MEXICAN AMBASSADOR, DON ENRIttTJE 
C. CREEL, AT THE INAUGURAL SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE. 

Gentlemen of the Central American Delegations : Allow me to bid you all, 
in the name of the people and the Government of Mexico, which I have the 
honor to represent on this solemn occasion, the heartiest welcome, and to express 
my most sincere good wishes for your personal welfare and for the success of 
the missions your respective governments have intrusted into your hands. 

Ton come to Washington, gentlemen, on such a far-reaching, noble, and lofty 
errand, to perform a work of such lasting results, that I do not hesitate to say 
that if heretofore you have been known in Central America as distinguished 
jurists, diplomats of experience, and ardent patriots, your names will hence- 
forth be a household word in the entire American Continent, as they can not 
remain confined within the frontiers of any one particular region, and will 
symbolize, whenever pronounced, the greatest of blessings that a people, that 
mankind, may enjoy. Your names will spell, peace, holy peace, and its follower, 
liberty, to which is due the greatness of the country which at. this moment gives 
you such affectionate hospitality. 

The Mexican Republic is bound to the Central American countries by common 
blood ties, historical traditions, language, geographical proximity, community of 
interests, and similarity of political institutions, and General Porflrio Diaz saw 
with particular pleasure the opportunity offered him to cooperate in helping the 
five sister republics to lay the foundations of a peace to which they are entitled, 
and that will undoubtedly bring them such great benefits as Mexico has secured. 
The joint suggestion, signed by the chief executive of my country and the emi- 
nent statesman now President of the United States of America, has brought 
you here, under the roof of the International Bureau of the American Republics, 
which is, if I may so express it, the common home of all the nations on this 
continent. 

For many years what was formerly Spanish-America has been enjoying peace, 
achieving material progress, and successfully striving to practically establish 
the institutions we inherited from our forefathers. The revolutionary germs 
seem to exist (and with particular vigor) only in the most central portion of the 
continent, where the two portions of America which are destined to live in a 
close fraternal union meet. Why should it be strange, then, that the countries 



28 CENTRAL AMERICAN" PEACE CONTERENCE. 

nearest to yours extend their friendly mediation, and in case of necessity their 
frank assistance, that you may come to a mutual understanding and weld 
together the link of common love, tendencies, and interests, which will be the 
basis of yoift- future prosperity? 

Neither the United States nor Mexico craves territorial expansion, nor is 
either desirous of intervening in your affairs, nor do they ask aught but to see 
you peaceable, strong, and prosperous countries. Mexico and the United States 
are convinced that such will be the result obtained by your energy, patriotism, 
and good will, after honest deliberations, intent upon securing peace for the 
five Central American Republics on the basis of eternal justice. 

Peace has always been the greatest boon to mankind. But when population 
and elements of wealth increase, and the level of civilization becomes higher, 
and the principles of justice and respect for. property become more solid; when 
a higher estimate is put upon the life of man, it is then that tranquillity becomes 
more valuable in the world, its rule controls as a supreme necessity, as the 
greatest of all blessings, the mainspring of patriotism, and the immovable basis 
of national autonomy. 

The world moves on. The various manifestations of progress reach every- 
where; earthly civilization becomes universal, demanding that each and every 
people in the world share in its benefits. When civilization finds no barriers 
nor suitable surroundings, it directs to that spot all its energies and its life- 
giving elements of wealth. But when war, disorder, and extermination block 
the way and oppose the great force of civilization, then conditions become dan- 
gerous both at home and abroad ; thence proceed retrogression and the elements 
of international difficulties. 

The peoples of to-day can not dwell in isolation, linked as life is to the com- 
mon cause of human progress, and it is only in the midst of peace that the 
preservation of national integrity can be conceived. When that support is 
wanting, autonomy is in danger, and the wrongs and the damage done may be 
irreparable. 

The present tendency of civilized countries is clearly toward peace, as shown 
by The Hague tribunal ; by the several peace and arbitration congresses and 
conferences organized or to be organized in advanced nations ; as advocated by 
the public press in all countries, irrespective of political parties or religious 
creed ; as taught in schools and universities. Peace is the yearning cry of 
humanity. No mistake could be greater, no blindness darker, than to oppose 
those tendencies. Any and all sacrifices seem small when made to obtain a 
solid, unmolested, firm peace. 

This is not all, however. Before long America will witness a great event — 
the opening of the Panama Canal. This gigantic undertaking will mark the 
commencement of a new era for Pan-American progress. This great work 
will facilitate the means of communication and at the same time will bring 
together in closer bonds the nations of this hemisphere, giving greater impulse 
to their international commerce. To achieve this it will be necessary to make 
great improvements to ports, to imdertake expensive sanitary works, to build 
many railway lines, banks, commercial houses, and to consolidate both the in- 
ternal and foreign public credit. 

And in order to enjoy all these benefits we need peace in America ; a peace 
to be uninterrupted in every one of the nations of this hemisphere. To disturb 
that peace would be more dangerous then than it is at present. This is the 
right moment to build the proper foundations and to secure among you all that 
harmony in which the North, Central, and South Americans are so deeply 
interested. 

You possess admirable elements of life, sources of unexplored riches, im- 
mense tracts of uncultivated lands, a coast line of incomparable value. All 
you need is that men work instead of killing one another ; capital to flow to 
your countries at your request, instead of shunning your countries for fear 
of wars. 

If my judgment of your affairs is not erroneous, your disputes turn upon 
issues which are simple and, above all. susceptible of paciflc adjustment. 
Boundary questions, questions of wrongs to citizens, territorial invasion, and 
many others, which can not be prevented between adjoining countries, may be 
easily and peaceably settled according to such general rules as you may adopt 
at this Conference; and civil or foreign wars will only come when, unfortu- 
nately, great calamities must come; and then as often as wars now occur in 
the civilized countries of the world, and not as frequently as they now fall upon 
the savage hordes of uncivilized countries. 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 29 

To attain these conditions it is necessary not to seek to gain advantages, nor 
to claim predominance OA-er one another, nor redress of wrongs, nor yet lose 
control of one's temper. The object of this Conference is nobler and loftier. It 
is to seek in good faith the means of doing justice. Your clear intelligence 
and patriotism will surely find it, and when found it must be embodied ma 
treaty of very Ions duration. This is what the world expects of the high rep- 
resentation of your respective Governments: this is what Mexico and the 
United States of America expect, because they will, in perfect good faith, seal 
that treaty as a moral guaranty of an honest and steadfast purpose, as a token 
of love for peace, and as an evidence of confraternity, sympathy, and justice to 
the countries you represent. . . x, a. 

Moreover, the Conference has a significance and teaching of the highest 
interest to humanity, because it is a further step in the peaceful solution of 
international difficulties by means of reason and justice, through a perfect un- 
derstanding and a just analysis of the facts, through the quiet and tranquil 
justice of illustrious jurists and statesmen, and because it draws us nearer the 
creation of tribunals which, exalting their mission, do justice as between the 
nations as they now do it between individuals of society. 

Your own countries, the civilization of America, and the peace of the whole 
world expect much of you gentlemen. Your knowledge of the character and 
historical conditions ofVour charming countries will serve you in aiding you 
to advance now ?t a single step more than you could possibly do in a number 
of years under present conditions. 

In such a work, as fine as it is, worthy of the efforts of good patriots and 
men of rank, you may always count on the good will of the Mexican Govern- 
ment. 

Gentlemen, may the treaty of Washington carry in its very soul the lofty 
ideals of the Latin race to which we belong, and may its form be as solid and 
strong as the great American people identified with us in this common work of 
order, civilization, and progress. May this be as perpetual a treaty as will 
always be the unchangeable good faith and love of peace of the two Republics, 
your friends, who have invited you to take up this humanitarian task. 



[Inclosure No. 4c.] 



ADDRESS OF HIS EXCELLENCY SENOE, DON LUIS ANDERSON, DELEGATE 
AND MINISTER FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF COSTA RICA AT THE IN- 
AUGURAL SESSION OF THE CONFERENCE ON NOVEMBER 14, 1907, 
REPLYING ON BEHALF OF THE DELEGATES TO THE CONFERENCE TO 
THE ADDRESSES MADE BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE AND THE 
MEXICAN AMBASSADOR. 

Your Excellencies : Your words move us deeply and will reecho among our 
brothers in Central America as the good news that calls us to a better life, as 
the smiling promise of an era of peace, justice, and prosperity which will allow 
the Central American Republics to play the part in human progress that modern 
civilization has reserved for each member of the great family of nations; and 
to start again, strengthened by the bitter experiences of a tempestuous past, 
but at the same time encouraged by the consciousness of their proper destinies. 

The solemn inauguration of this Central American Peace Conference by the 
honorable Secretary of State, on which occasion we have also listened to the 
eloquent, wise, and' kind words of his excellency the ambassador of the United 
Mexican States, which jointly constitute a symbol of American confraternity, 
marks in the history of our people the epoch that separates the past from the 
future, the time when war and revolution will sink, never to rise, to give way 
to peace, progress, and tranquillity. It is the beginning of an era to which the 
spirit of the century urgently calls us. 

Civilization can not allow that in the family of nations there be one which 
does not work for or contribute to the common benefit the full extent of its 
energies and of the wealth with which nature has endowed it, because all 
nations are united in human progress. 

Admirably situated between two continents, with extensive coast lines on 
both oceans, with an exceedingly rich soil, suitable for all kinds of products, 
with mountains full of gold and silver — in fine, with such wealth that it would 



30 CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

seem nature took pride iu scattering over tliose lauds all its wealth with a 
prodigal hand — Central America is in duty bound to render to civilization, 
through universal interchange, all the benefits that its privileged situation 
demands ; and, nevertheless, I lament to say this — we are backward in fulfilling 
this duty, because the futile strifes in which some of the Republics have con- 
sumed their energies have separated us from the ideals our forefathers con- 
templated when they, regardless of sacrifice, gave us our country and liberty. 

It was a divine inspiration which led the I'residents of our sisters of the 
north, when Central American soil was threatened to be dyed with the blood of 
brothers, to raise their friendly voices bidding the fratricidal arm to stop and 
calling us to Washington to undertake. In a brotherly conference, the work of 
peace, which elevates and dignifies nations and leads them along the road to 
civilization and happiness. Through this generous and humanitarian action 
Presidents Roosevelt and Diaz have won new laurels, have written a new page 
of glory in the history of their respective countries, but above all have won for 
themselves a place in the heart of each one of the citizens, of the five Central 
American countries. The names of Roosevelt and Diaz will always be remem- 
bered with gratitude by the humble citizens of those countries, those whose 
hands are hardened by toil and whose faces are tanned by the tropical sun, who 
will be the most directly benefited by a stable peace, because the simple peasant, 
who is compelled to exchange the plow for the sword, goes to war but does not 
love war. 

Our peoples are not warlike, and the only part they have played in the several 
wars which from independence to our day have stained the Central American 
soil with blood is that of dying with heroism and self-denial for a cause which 
they have not understood. The Central American wars have ueverN been wars 
between nations, but wars between Governments. 

The disturbances which have taken place in some of the Central American 
Republics, and their tremendous resultant calamities, are above all the outcome 
of abuse, or rather forgetfulness of liberty, the protecting goddess of nations, 
under whose radiant guidance natiojis become great, rich, and strong. For lib- 
erty is a jealous goddess, more jealous even than the God of Israel, and pun- 
ishes with an implacable hand the countries which do not properly worship her 
and produces misery and anarchy, which are more terrible even than all the 
biblical plagues. 

If, in the Washington Conference, we turn our eyes toward liberty ; if we 
make provision necessary in order that our countries, free from past errors, 
may enter anew upon a life of real democratic solidarity ; if we bring it about 
that the Governments of our five countries do not remain indefinitely in power 
but are both in their origin and in their acts a free expression of the will of the 
people ; in fine, if we succeed in establishing that the rights of man, the noblest 
inheritance of the human race, which are embodied in all our constitutions but 
sometimes sadly forgotten, become really effective, become something like the 
backbone of our institutions and of our social and political organization — in 
short, if we enter in all sincerity into a constitutional life, we shall have done 
great good to our countries, and the generous hope of Presidents Roosevelt and 
Diaz will be realized. 

Let us direct our efforts to the end that respect for the libertj- of individuals 
and of States shall be a reality. Let us admit and guarantee the government of 
the people and for the people in each one of the Central American nations, and 
then peace will be assured and the road to our happiness and perfection will be 
clear. 

I believe I interpret the sentiment and the patriotic feelings of each one of the 
delegates when I say that we feel sure that we will reach that goal, and, there- 
fore, our gratitude to those who have aided us in this praiseworthy work will 
be sincere. Which one of our nations will show so little of patriotism as to re- 
fuse to ratify such effective means of procuring us happiness? 



[Inclosure No. 5.] 



TRATADO GENERAL DE PAZ Y 
AMISTAD. 

Los Gobiernos de las Repiiblicas 
de Costa Rica, Guatemala, Hon- 
duras, Nicaragua y el Salvador, 
deseando establecer las bases que 
fijen las relaciones generales de 
dichos paises, ban tenido a bien 
celebrar un Tratado General de 
Paz J Amistad, que Uene aquel fin, 
y al efecto ban nombrado Dele- 
gados: 

Costa Rica : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Licenciado Don Luis 
Anderson y Don Joaquin B. 
Calvo ; 

Guatemala : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Licenciado Don An- 
tonio Batres Jauregui, Doctor 
Don Luis Toledo Herrarte y Don 
Victor Sanchez Ocaiia ; 

Honduras: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Poli- 
carpo Bonilla, Doctor Don Angel 
LTgarte y Don E. Constantino 
Fiallos ; 

Nicaragua : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctores Don Jose 
Madriz y Don Luis F. Corea ; y 

EL Salvador: a los Excelentisi- 
nios Seiiores Doctor Don Salvador 
Gallegos, Doctor Don Salvador 
Rodriguez Gonzalez y Don Fe- 
derico Mejia. 

En virtud de la invitacion hecha 
conforme al Articulo II del Pro- 
tocolo firmado en Washington el 
17 de Setiembre de 1907 por los 
Representantes Plenipotenciarios 
de las cinco Repiiblicas Centro 
americanas, estuvieron presentes 
en todas las deliberaciones los Ex- 
celentisimos Seiiores Represen- 



GENERAL TREATY OF PEACE AND 
AMITY, 

The Governments of the Re- 
publics of Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Sal- 
vador, being desirous of establish- 
ing the foundations which fix the 
general relations of said countries, 
have seen fit to conclude a general 
Treaty of Peace and Amity which 
will attain said end, and for that 
purpose have named as Delegates : 

Costa Rica: Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Luis Anderson and 
Don Joaquin B. Calvo ; 

GuATEiMALA : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Antonio Batres Jau- 
regui. Doctor Don Luis Toledo 
Herrarte, and Don Victor San- 
chez Ocaiia. 

Honduras : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Policarpo Bonilla, 
Doctor Don Angel Ugarte, and 
Don E. Constantino Fiallos; 

I 

Nicaragua: Their Excellencies 
Doctors Don Jose Madriz and 
Don Luis F. Corea ; and 

Salvador : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Salvador Gallegos, 
Doctor Don Salvador Rodriguez 
Gonzalez, and Don Federico 
Mejia. 

By virtue of, the invitation sent 
in accordance with Article II of 
the protocol signed at Washing- 
ton on September 17, 1907, by the 
Plenipotentia ry Representatives 
of the five Central American Re- 
publics, their excellencies, the 
Representative of the Government 
of the United Mexican States, 

31 



32 



CENTEAL. AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



tante del Gobierno de los Esta- 
dos Unidos Mexicanos, Embaja- 
dor Don Enrique C. Creel, y Re- 
present ante del Gobierno de los 
Estados Unidos de America. Mr. 
William I. Buchanan. 

Los Delegados, reunidos en la 
Conferencia de Paz Centroame- 
ricana en Washington, despues de 
haberse comunicado sus respecti- 
vos plenos poderes, que encontra- 
ron en buena forma, han conve- 
nido en Uevar a ef ecto el proposito 
indicado de la manera siguiente: 

Articulo I. 

Las Republicas de Centre 
America consideran como el pri- 
mordial de sus deberes, en sus 
relaciones mutuas, el mariteni- 
miento de la paz; y se obligan a 
observar siempre la mas completa 
armonia y a resolver todo 
desacuerdo 6 dificultad que pueda 
sobrevenir entre ellas, de cual- 
quiera naturaleza que sea, por 
medio de la Corte de Justicia Cen- 
troamericana, creada por la Con- 
vencion que han concluido aJ 
ef ecto en esta fecha. 

Articulo II. 

Deseando asegurar en las Ee- 
publicas de Centro America los 
beneficios que se derivan de la 
practica de las institucionesy con- 
tribuir al propio tiempo a anrmar 
su estabilidad y los prestigios de 
que deben rodearse, declara que se 
considera amenazante a la paz de 
dichas Republicas, toda disposi- 
cion 6 medida que tienda a alterar 
en cualquiera de ellas el orden 
constitucional. 



ARTicULO III. 

Atendiendo a la posicion geo- 
grafica central de Honduras y a las 
facilidades que esta circunstancia 



Ambassador Don Enrique C. 
Creel, and the Representative of 
the Government of the United 
States of America, Mr. William 
I. Buchanan, were present at all 
the deliberations. 

The Delegates, assembled in the 
Central American Peace Confer- 
ence at Washington, after having 
communicated to one another 
their respective full powers, which 
they found to be in due form, 
have agreed to carry out the said 
purpose in the following manner : 

Article I. 

The Republics of Central 
America consider as one of their 
first duties, in their mutual rela- 
tions, the maintenance of peace; 
and they bind themselves to al- 
ways observe the most complete 
harmony, and decide every differ- 
ence or difficulty that may arise 
amongst them, of whatsoever na- 
ture it may be, by means of the 
Central American Court of Jus- 
tice, created by the Convention 
which they have concluded for 
that purpose on this date. 

Article II. 

Desiring to secure in the Re- 
publics of Central America the 
benefits which are derived from 
the maintenance of their institu- 
tions, and to contribute at the 
same time in strengthening their 
stability and the prestige with 
which they ought to be sur- 
rounded, it is declared that every 
disposition or measure which may 
tend to alter the constitutional 
organization in any of them is to 
be deemed a menace to the peace 
of said Republics. 

Article III. 

Taking into account the central 
geographical position of Hon- 
duras and the facilities which ow- 



CENTEAL, AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



33 



ha dado para que sii territorio 
haya sido con la mayor f recuencia 
el teatro de las contiendas centro- 
americanas, Honduras declara 
desde ahora su absoluta neutra- 
lidad en cualquier evento de con- 
flicto entre las otras Republicas; 
y estas, a su vez, si se observare 
tal neutralidad, se obligan a res- 
petarla y a no violar en ningun 
caso el territorio hondureiio. 



Aeticulo IV. 

Atendiendo a las ventajas que 
deben obtenerse de la creacion de 
Institutes Gentroamericanos para 
e] fomento de sus mas vitales in- 
tereses, ademas del Instituto 
Pedagogico y de la Oficina Inter- 
nacional Centroamericana que 
ban de establecerse segun las Con- 
venciones celebfadas al efecto por 
esta Conferencia, se recomienda 
especialmente a los Gobiernos la 
creacion de una Escuela practica 
de Agricultura en la Republica de 
el Salvador, una de Mineria- y 
Mecanica en la de Honduras y 
otra de Artes y Oficios en la de 
Nicaragua. 



ing to this circumstance have 
made its territory most often 
the theater of Central American 
conflicts, Honduras declares from 
now on its absolute neutrality in 
event of any conflict between the 
other Republics; and the latter, 
in their turn, provided such neu- 
trality be observed, bind them- 
selves to respect it and in no case 
to violate the Honduranean terri- 
tory. 

Article IV. 

Bearing in mind the advantages 
which must be gained from the 
creation of Central American in- 
stitutions for the development of 
their most vital interests, besides 
the Pedagogical Institute and the 
International Central American 
Bureau which are to be estab- 
lished according to the Conven- 
tions concluded to that end by 
this Conference, the creation of a 
practical Agricultural School in 
the Republic of Salvador, one 
of Mines and Mechanics in that of 
Honduras, and another of Arts 
and Trades in that of Nicaragua, 
is especially recommended to the 
Governments. 



Artictjlo V. 

Para cultivar las relaciones en- 
tre los Estados, las Partes contra- 
tantes se obligan a acreditar ante 
cada una de las otras, una Lega- 
cion permanente. 

Articulo VI. 

Los ciudadanos de una de las 
Partes contratantes, residentes en 
el territorio de cualquiera de las 
otras, gozaran de los mismos 
derechos civiles de que gozan los 
nacionales, y se consideraran como 
ciudadanos en el pais de su resi- 
dencia, si reunen las condiciones 
que exijen las correspondientes 

37200—08 ^3 



Article V. 

In order to cultivate the rela- 
tions between the States, the con- 
tracting Parties obligate them- 
selves each to accredit to the 
others a permanent Legation. 

Article VI. 

The citizens of one of the con- 
tracting Parties, residing in the 
territory of any of the others, 
shall enjoy the same civil rights 
as are enjoyed by nationals, and 
shall be considered as citizens in 
the country of their residence if 
they fulfil the conditions which 
the respective constituent laws 



34 



CENTKAL AMERICAN" PEACE CONFERENCE. 



leyes constitutivas. Los no natu- 
ralizados estaran exentos del ser- 
vicio militar obligatorio, por mar 
6 por tierra, y de todo emprestito 
forzoso 6 requerimiento militar, 
y no se les obligara por ningiin 
m-otivo a pagar mas contribu- 
ciones 6 tasas ordinarias 6 extra- 
ordinarias que aquellas que pagan 
los naturales. 

Articulo VII. 

Los individuos que hayan ad- 
quirido un titulo profesional en 
alguna de las Eepublicas contra - 
tantes podran ejercer en cualquie- 
ra de las otras, sin especial gra- 
vamen, sus profesiones, con arre- 
glo a las respectivas leyes; sin 
mas requisitos que los de presentar 
el titulo 6 diploma correspon- 
diente debidamente autenticado, 
y justificar, en caso necesario, la 
identidad de la persona y obtener 
el pase del Poder Ejecutivo donde 
asi lo requiera la ley. 

Tambien seran validos los estu- 
dios cientificos hechos en las 
Universidades, Escuelas Faculta- 
tivas e Institutos de Segunda 
Enseiianza de cualquiera de los 
paises contratantes, previa la au- 
tenticacion de los documentos que 
acrediten dichos estudios y la 
comprobacion de la identidad de 
la persona. 

Articulo VIII. 

Los ciudadanos de los paises 
signatarios que residan en el te- 
rritorio de los otros gozaran del 
derecho de propiedad literaria, 
artistica 6 industrial en los mis- 
raos terminos y sujetos a los 
mismos requisitos que los natu- 
rales. 

Articulo IX. 

Las naves mercantes de los 
paises signatarios se considera- 



provide. Those that are not nat- 
uralized shall be exempt from 
obligatory military service, either 
on sea or land, and from every 
forced loan or military requisi- 
tion, and they shall not be obliged 
on any account to pay greater 
contributions or ordinary or ex- 
traordinary imposts than those 
which natives pay. 

Article VII. 

The individuals who have ac- 
quired a professional degree in 
any of the contracting Republics, 
may, without special exaction, 
practice their professions, in ac- 
cordance with the respective laws, 
in any one of the others, without 
other requirements than those of 
presenting the respective degree 
or diploma properly authenti- 
cated, and of proving, in case of 
necessity, their personal identity 
and of obtaining a permit from 
the Executive Power where the 
law so requires. 

In like manner shall validity 
attach to the scientific studies 
pursued in the universities, pro- 
fessional schools, and the schools 
of higher education of any one of 
the contracting countries, pro- 
vided the documents which evi- 
dence such studies have been au- 
thenticated, and the identity of 
the person proved. 

Article VIII. 

Citizens of the signatory coun- 
tries who reside in the territory of 
the others shall enjoy the right of 
literary, artistic or industrial 
jjroperty in the same manner and 
subject to the same requirements 
as natives. 

Article IX. 

The merchant ships of the sig- 
natory countries shall be consid- 



CENTRAX, AMERICAN" PEACE COlSTFERElSrCE. 



35 



ran en los mares, costas y puer- 
tos de los indicados paises como 
naves nacionales; gozaran de las 
mismas exenciones, franquicias y 
concesiones que estas y no paga- 
ran otros derechos ni tendran 
otros gravamenes que los que 
paguen y tengan impuestos las 
embarcaciones del pais respective. 



Articulo X. 

Los Gobiernos de las Republicas 
Contratantes se comprometen a 
respetar la inviolabilidad del 
derecho de asilo a bordo de los 
buques mercantes de cualquie- 
ra nacionalidad surtos en sus 
puertos. En consecuencia, no 
podra extraerse de dichas embar- 
caciones sino a los reos de delitos 
comunes, por orden de Juez com- 
petente y con las formalidades 
legales. A los perseguidos por 
delitos politicos, 6 delitos comunes 
conexos con los politicos, solo 
podra extraerseles en el caso de 
que se hayan embarcado en. un 
puerto del Estado que los recla- 
ma, mientras permanezcan en sus 
ag-uas jurisdiccionales y cumplien- 
dose los requisitos exigidos ante- 
riormente para los casos de delitos 
comunes. 

Articulo XI. 

Los Agentes diplomaticos y 
consulares de las Eepiiblicas con- 
tratantes en las ciudades, plazas y 
puertos extranjeros prestaran a 
las personas, buques y demas pro- 
pi edades de los ciucladanos de 
cualquiera de ellas, la misma pro- 
teccion que a las personas, buques 
y demas propieclades de sus com- 
patriotas, sin exigir por sus servi- 
cios otros 6 mayores dereclios que 
los acostumbrados respecto de sus 
nacionales. 



ered upon the sea, along the 
costs, and in the ports of said 
countries as national vessels ; they 
shall enjoy the same exemptions, 
immunities and concessions as the 
latter, and shall not pay other 
dues nor be subject to further 
taxes than those imposed upon 
and paid by the vessels of the 
country. 

Article X. 

The Governments of the con- 
tracting Republics bind them- 
selves to respect the inviolability 
of the right of asylum aboard the 
merchant vessels of whatsoever 
nationality anchored in their 
ports. Therefore, only persons 
accused of common crimes can be 
taken from them after due legal 
procedure and by order of the 
competent judge. Those prose- 
cuted on account of political 
crimes or common crimes in con- 
nection with political ones, can 
only be taken therefrom in case 
they have embarked in a port of 
the State which claims them, dur- 
ing their staj'' in its jurisdictional 
waters, and after the requirements 
hereinbefore set forth in the case 
of common crimes have been ful- 
filled. 

Article XL 

The Diplomatic and Consular 
Agents of the contracting Repub- 
lics in foreign cities, towns and 
ports shall afford to the persons, 
vessels and other property of the 
citizens of any one of them, the 
same protection as to the persons, 
ships and other properties of their 
compatriots, without demanding 
for their services other or higher 
charges than those usually made 
with respect to their nationals. 



36 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



Articulo XII. 

En el deseo cle fomentar el 
comercio entre las Republicas 
contrataiites, siis respectivos Go- 
biernos se pondran de acuerdo 
para el establecimiento de naves 
nacionales y mercantes que liagan 
el comercio de cabotaje y para los 
arreglos y siibvenciones que cleban 
acordarse a las Compaiiias de va- 
pores que liagan el trafico entre 
los puertos nacionales y los del 
exterior. 

Articulo XIII. 

Habra entre las Partes contra- 
tantes un canje completo y regu- 
lar de toda clase de publicaciones 
oficiales. 



Article XII. 

In the desire of promoting com- 
merce between the contracting Re- 
publics, their respective Govern- 
ments shall agree upon the estab- 
lishment of national merchant 
marines engaged in coastwise com- 
merce and the arrangements to be 
made with and the subsidies to be 
granted to steamship companies 
engaged in the trade between na- 
tional and foreign ports. 



Article XIII. 

There shall be a complete and 
regular exchange of every class 
of official publications between 
the contracting Parties. 



Articulo XIV. 

Los instrumentos publicos otor- 
gados en una de las Republicas 
contratantes seran validos en las 
otras, siempre que esten debida- 
mente autenticaclos y que en su 
celebracion se hayan observado las 
leyes de la Repiiblica de donde 
proceden. 

Articulo XV. 

Las autoridades judiciales de 
las Republicas contratantes , da- 
ran curso a las requisitorias en 
materia civil, comercial 6 crimi- 
nal, concernientes a citaciones, in- 
terrogatorios y demas actos de 
proceclimiento 6 instruccion. 

Los demas actos judiciales, en 
materia civil 6 comercial, proce- 
dentes de accion personal, ten- 
dran en el territorio de cual- 
quiera de las Partes contratan- 
tes igual fuerza que los de los tri- 
bunales locales, y se ejecutaran 
del misino modo, siempre que se 
declaren previamente ejecutoria- 



Article XIV. 

Public instruments executed in 
one of the contracting Republics 
shall be valid in the others, pro- 
vided they shall have been prop- 
erly authenticated and in their 
execution the laws of the Repub- 
lic whence they issue shall have 
been observed. 

Article XV. 

The judicial authorities of the 
contracting Republics shall carry 
out the judicial commissions and 
warrants in civil, commercial or 
criminal matters, with regard to 
citations, interrogatories and 
other acts of procedure or judi- 
cial function. 

Other judicial acts, in civil or 
commercial matters, arising out 
of a personal suit, shall have in 
the territory of any one of the 
contracting Parties equal force 
with those of the local tribunals 
and shall be executed in the same 
manner, provided always that 
they shall first have been declared 



CENTKAL AMERICAN" PEACE CONFERENCE. 



37 



dos por el Tribunal Supremo de 
la Republica en donde han de 
tener ejecucion, lo cual se verifi- 
cara si llenareri las condiciones 
esenciales que exije su respe.ctiva 
legislacion y conforme a las leyes 
seiialadas en cada pais para la 
ejecucion de las sentencias. 



Articulo XVI. 

Deseando prevenir una de las 
causas mas frecuentes de trastor- 
nos en las Repiiblicas, los Go- 
biernos contratantes no permiti- 
ran que los cabecillas 6 jefes 
principales de las emigraciones 
politicas, ni sus agentes, residan 
en los departamentos fronterizos 
a los paises cuya paz pudieran 
perturbar. 

Los que estuvieren actualmente 
establecidos de una manera fija 
en un departamento fronterizo 
podran permanecer en el lugar 
de su residencia bajo la inmediata 
vigilancia del Gobierno asilador; 
pero desde el momento en que lle- 
garen a constituir peligro para 
el orden seran incluidos en la 
regla del inciso precedente. 



Articulo XVII. 

Toda persona, cualquiera que 
sea su nacionalidad, que, dentro 
<iel territorio de una de las Partes 
contratantes iniciare 6 fomentare 
trabajos revolucionarios contra 
alguiia de las otras, sera inmedia- 
tamente concentrada a la capital 
de la Repiiblica, donde se las so- 
metera a juicio con arregio a la 
ley. 

Articulo XVIII. 

En cuanto a la Oficina de las 
Kepublicas Centroamericanas que 
se establecera en Guatemala y 
respecto al Instituto Peclagogico 



executory by the Supreme Tri- 
bunal of the Republic wherein 
they are to be executed, which 
shall be done if they meet the es- 
sential requirements of their re- 
spective legislation and they shall 
be carried out in accordance with 
the laws enacted in each country 
for the execution of judgments. 

Article XVI. 

Desiring to prevent one of the 
most frequent causes of disturb- 
ances in the Republics, the con- 
tracting Governments shall not 
permit the leaders or principal 
chiefs of political refugees, nor 
their agents, to reside in the de- 
partments bordering on the coun- 
tries whose peace they might dis- 
turb. 

Those who may have estab- 
lished their permanent residence 
in a frontier department may re- 
main in the place of their resi- 
dence under the immediate sur- 
veillance of the Government af- 
fording them an asylum, but 
from the moment when they be- 
come a menace to public order 
they shall be included in the rule 
of the preceding paragraph. 

Article XVII. 

Every person, no matter what 
his nationality, who, within the 
territory of one of the contracting 
Parties, shall initiate or foster 
revolutionary movements against 
any of the others, shall be imme- 
diately brought to the capital of 
the Republic, where he shall be 
submitted to trial according to 
law. 

Article XVIII. 

I 

With respect to the Bureau of 
Central American Republics 
which shall be established in 
Guatemala, and with respect to 



38 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



que ha de crearse en Costa Rica, 
se observaran las Convenciones 
celebrados al efecto, asi como 
tambien regiran las que se refieren 
a Extradicion, Comunicaciones y 
Conferencias Anuales para unifi- 
car los intereses Centroameri- 
canos. 



the Pedagogical Institute which 
is to be created in Costa Rica, the 
Conventions celebrated to that 
end, shall be observed, and those 
that refer to Extradition, Com- 
munications, and Annual Confer- 
ences, shall remain in full force 
for the unification of Central 
American interests. 



Articulo XIX. 

El presente Tratado permane- 
cera en vigor por el termino de 
diez alios contados desde el dia 
del canje de las ratificaciones. 
Sin embargo, si un ailo antes de 
expirar dicho termino no se hu- 
biere hecho por alguna de las 
Partes contratantes notificacion 
especial a las otras sobre la in- 
tencion de terminarlo, continuara 
rigiendo hasta un ano despues de 
que se haya hecho le referida 
notificacion. 

Articulo XX. 

Estando resumidas 6 conve- 
nientemente modificadas en este 
Tratado las estipula clones de los 
celebrados anteriormente entre 
los paises contratantes, se declara 
que todos quedan sin efecto y de- 
rogados por el actual, cuando sea 
definitivamente aprobado y can- 
jeado. 

Articulo XXI. 

El canje de las ratificaciones 
del presente Tratado asi como el 
de las otras Convenciones con- 
cluidas en esta fecha, se hara por 
medio de comunicaciones que 
dirijan los Gobiernos al de Costa 
Rica, para que este lo haga saber 
a los demas Estados contratantes. 
El Gobierno de Costa Rica les 
comunicara tambien la ratifica- 
cion, si la otorgare. 



Article XIX. 

The present Treaty shall re- 
main in force for the term of ten 
years counted from the day of the 
exchange of ratifications. Never- 
theless, if one year before the ex- 
piration of said term, none of the 
contracting Parties shall have 
given special notice to the others 
concerning its intention to ter- 
minate it, it shall remain in force 
until one year after such notifica- 
tion shall have been made. 



Article XX. 

The stipulations of the Treaties 
heretofore concluded among the 
contracting Countries, being com- 
prised or suitably modified in 
this, it is declared that all stipu- 
lations remain void and revoked 
by the present, after final ap- 
proval and exchange of ratifica- 
tions. 

Article XXI. 

The exchange of ratifications 
of the present Treaty, as well as 
that of the other Conventions of 
this date, shall be made by means 
of communications which are to 
be addressed by the Governments 
to that of Costa Rica, in order 
that the latter shall notify the 
other contracting States. The 
Government of Costa Rica shall 
also communicate its ratification 
if it effects it. 



CEISTTKAL AMEBICAN" PEACE COXFEEEXCE. 39 

Firmada en la ciudacl de "Wash- Signed at tlie city of TVashing- 
ington. a los veinte dias del mes ton on the tvrentieth day of De- 
de Diciembre de mil novecientos cember, one thousand nine hun- 
siete. dred and seven. 

Luis Axdeeson 

J. B. Calto 

AnTOXIO BaTRES jAUREGm 

Luis Toledo Heeearte 
Victor Saxchez O- 
policarpo boxella 
Angel Ugaete 
e. coxstaxtixo flallos 
Jose Madeiz 
Luis F. Coeea 
Salyadoe Gallegos 
Salyadoe Eodriguez G. 
F. :MEjiA. 



[Inclosure No. 6.] 



CONVENCION ADICIONAL AL TRA- 
TADO GENERAL. 

Los Gobiernos cle las Republi- 
cas de Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua y el Salva- 
dor, ban tenido a bien una Con- 
vencion Adicional al Tratado 
General, y al efecto ban nom- 
brado Delegaclos : 

GosTA Rica : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Licenciado Don Luis 
Anderson y Don Joaquin B. 
Calvo ; 

Guatemala : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Licenciado Don An- 
tonio Batres Jauregui, Doctor 
Don Luis Toledo Herrarte y Don 
Victor Sancbez Ocaila ; 

Honduras : a los Excelentisimos 
Seiiores Doctor Don Policarpo 
Bonilla, Doctor Don Angel Ugarte 
y Don E. Constantino Fiallos; 

Nicaragua : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctores Don Jose 
Madriz j Don Luis F. Corea ; y 

EL Salvador : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Gallegos, Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Rodriguez Gonzales y Don 
Federico Mejia. 

En virtud de la invitacion 
hecha conforme al Articulo IT del 
Protocolo firmado en Washing- 
ton el 17 de Setiembre de 1907 
por los Representantes Plenipo- 
tenciarios de las ciiico Repiibli- 
cas Centroamericanas, estuvieron 
presentes en todas las delibera- 
ciones los Excelentisimos Se 
nores Representante del Gobierno 
de los Estados Uiiidos Mexicanos, 
40 



ADDITIONAL CONVENTION TO 
THE GENERAL TREATY. 

The Governments of the Re- 
publics of Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Salva- 
dor, have seen fit to conclude a 
Convention additional to the Gen- 
eral Treaty, and to that end have 
named as Delegates : 

Costa Rica : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Luis, Anderson and 
Don Joaquin B. Calvo; 

Guatemala : Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Antonio Batres 
Jauregui, Doctor Don Luis To- 
ledo Herrarte, and Don Victor 
Sanchez Ocaiia ; 

Honduras : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Policarpo Bonilla, 
Doctor Don Angel Ugarte, and 
Don E. Constantino Fiallos; 

Nicaragua : Their Excellen- 
cies Doctors Don Jose Madriz 
and Don Luis F. Corea; and 

Salvador : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Salvador Gallegos, 
Doctor Don Salvador Rodriguez 
Gonzalez, and Don Federico 
Mejia. 

• By virtue of the invitation sent 
in accordance Avitli Article II of 
the protocol signed at Washing- 
ton on September 17, 1907, by the 
Plenipotentiary Represent atiA^es 
of the five Central American Re- 
publics, their excellencies, the 
Representative of the Govern- 
ment of the United Mexican 
States, Ambassador Don Enrique 
C. Creel, and the Ilepresentative 



CENTRAL AMERICAlsr PEACE CONFERENCE. 



41 



Embajador Don Enrique C. Creel, 
y Re]Dresentante del Gobierno de 
los Estados Unidos de America, 
Mr. William I. Buchanan. 

Los Delegados, reunidos en la 
Conferencia de Paz Centro- 
americana en Washington, des- 
pues de haberse comunicado sus 
respectivos plenos poderes, que 
encontraron en buena forma, han 
convenido en llevar a efecto el 
proposito indicado de la manera 
siffuiente : 



of the Government of the United 
States of America, Mr. William 
I. Buchanan, were present at all 
the deliberations. 

The Delegates assembled in the 
Central American Peace Confer- 
ence at Washington, after having 
communicated to one another 
their respective full powers, 
which they found to be in due 
form, have agreed to carry out 
the said purpose in the following 
manner : 



Aeticulo I. 

Los Gobiernos de las Alias 
Partes Contratantes no recono- 
ceran a ninguno que surja en 
cualquiera de las cinco Repiibli- 
cas por consecuencia de un golpe 
de Estado, 6 de una revolucion 
contra un Gobierno reconocido, 
mientras la representacion del 
pueblo, libremente electa, no haya 
reorganizado el pais en forma 
constitucional. 



Articflo II. 

Ningiin Gobierno de Centro 
America podra, en caso de guerra 
civil, intervenir en favor ni en 
contra del Gobierno del pais 
donde la contienda tuviera lusar. 



Article I. 

The Governments of the High 
Contracting Parties shall not 
recognize any other Government 
which may come into power in 
any of the five Republics as a 
consequence of a couj) cfetat^ or 
of a revolution against the recog- 
nized Government, so long as 
the freely elected representatives 
of the people thereof, have not 
constitutionally reorganized the 
country.' 

Article II. 

No Government of Central 
America shall in case of civil war 
intervene in favor of or against 
the Government of the country 
where the struggle takes place. 



Articulo III. 

Se recomienda a los Gobiernos 
de Centro America procurar, por 
los medios que esten a su alcance, 
en primer termino la reforma cons- 
titucional en el sentido de pro- 
hibir la reelecion de Presidente. 
de la Repiiblica, donde tal pro- 
hibicion no exista, y en segundo, 
la^adopcion de toclas las disposi- 
ciones necesarias para rodear de 
completa garantia el principio de 
alternabilidad en el poder. 



Article HI. 

The Governments of Central 
America, in the first place, are 
recommended to endeavor to 
bring about, by the means at their 
command, a constitutional reform 
in the sense of prohibiting the 
reelection of the President of a 
Republic, where such prohibition 
does not exist, secondly to adopt 
all measures necessary to effect a 
complete guarantee of the princi- 
ple of alternation in power. 



42 CENTBAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

Firmada en la ciudad de Wash- Signed at the city of Washing- 
ington, a los veinte dias de Di- ton on the twentieth day of De- 
ciembre de mil novecientos siete. cember, one thousand nine hun- 
dred and seven. 

Luis Anderson 

J. B. Calvo 

Antonio Batees Jauregui 

Luis Toledo Herrarte 

Victor Sanchez O. 

policarpo bonilla 

Angel Ugarte 

E. Constantino Fiallos 
Jose Madriz 

Luis F. Corea 
Salvador Gallegos 
Salvador Rodriguez G. 

F. Mejia. 



[Inclosure No. 7.] 



CONVENCION PARA EL ESTABLE- CONVENTION FOR THE ESTABLISH- 
CIMIENTO DE UNA CORTE DE MENT OF A CENTRAL AMERICAN 

JTISTICIA CENTROAMERICANA. COURT OF JUSTICE. 



Los Gobiernos de las Replibli- 
cas de Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua y el Salva- 
dor, con el proposito de garanti- 
zar eficazmente sus derechos y 
mantener inalterables la paz y 
armonia de sus relaciones, sin 
tcner que recurrir en ningiin case 
B.l empleo de la fuerza, han con- 
venido en celebrar una Conven- 
cion para constituir un Tribunal 
de Justicia encargado de realizar 
tan altos fines, y al efecto han 
nombrado Delegados : 

Costa Rica: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Licenciado Don Luis 
Anderson y Don Joaquin B. 
Calvo ; 

Guatemala : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Licenciado Don 
Antonio Batres Jauregui, Doctor 
Don Luis Toledo Herrarte y Don 
Victor Sanchez Ocaiia ; 

Honduras: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Poli- 
carpo Bonilla, Doctor Don Angel 
Ugarte y Don E. Constantino 
Fiallos ; 

Nicaragua: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctores Don Jose 
Madriz y Don Luis F. Corea ; y 

EL Salvador : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Gallegos, Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Rodriguez Gonzalez y Don 
I ederico Mejia. 

En virtud de la invitacion 
hecha conforme al Articulo II del 
Protocolo 'firmado en Washington 
el 17 de Setiembre de 1907 por los 



The Governments of the Re- 
publics of Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua and Salva- 
dor, for the purpose of effica- 
ciously guaranteeing their rights 
and maintaining peace and har- 
mony inalterably in their rela- 
tions, without being obliged to 
resort in any case to the employ- 
ment of force, have agreed to con- 
clude a Convention for the con- 
stitution of a Court of Justice 
charged with accomplishing such 
high aims, and, to that end, have 
named as Delegates : 

Costa Rica. — Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Luis Anderson 
and Don Joaquin B. Calvo; 

Guatemala. — Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Antonio Batres 
Jauregui, Doctor Don Luis To- 
ledo Herrarte, and Don Victor 
Sanchez Ocaiia ; 

Honduras. — Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Policarpo Bo- 
nilla, Doctor Don Angel Ugarte, 
and Don E. Constantino Fiallos ; 

Nicaragua. — Their Excellen- 
cies Doctors Don Jose Madriz and 
Don Luis F. Corea ; and 

Salvador. — Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Salvador Gallegos, 
Doctor Don Salvador Rodriguez 
Gonzalez, and Don Federico Me- 
jia. 

By virtue of the invitation sent 
111 accordance with Article II of 
the Protocol signed at Washing- 
ton on September 17, 1907, by the 

43 



44 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



Representantes Plenipoteiiciarios 
de las cinco Republicas Centro- 
americanas, estuvieron presentes 
en todas las deliberaciones los Ex- 
celentisimos Sefiores Represen- 
tante del Gobierno de los Estados 
Unidos Mexicanos, Embajador 
Don Enrique C. Creel, y Repre- 
sentante del Gobierno de los Esta- 
dos Unidos de America, Mr. Wil- 
liam I. Buchanan. 

Los Delegados, reunidos en la 
Conferencia de Paz Centroame- 
ricana en Washington, despues de 
haberse comunicado sus respecti- 
vos plenos poderes, que encontra- 
ron en buena forma, han conve- 
nido en llevar a efecto el pro- 
posito indicado de la manera 
siguiente : 

Articulo I. 

Las Altas Partes Contratantes 
convienen por la presente en con- 
stituir y sostener un Tribunal 
permanente que se denominara 
" Corte de Justicia Centroameri- 
cana ", la cual se comprometen a 
someter todas las controversias 6 
cuestiones que entre ellas puedan 
sobrevenir, de' cualquiera natu- 
raleza que sean y cualquiera que 
sea su origen, en el caso de que 
las respectivas Cancillerias no hu- 
bieren podido llegar a un aveni- 
miento. 

Articulo II. 

Esta Corte conocera asimismo 
de las cuestiones que inicien los 
particulares de un pais centro- 
americano contra alguno de los 
otros Gobiernos contratantes, por 
violacion de tratados 6 conven- 
ciones, y en los demas casos de 
caracter internacional, sea que su 
propio Gobierno apoye 6 no 
dicha reclamacion; y con tal que 
se hubieren agotado los recursos 
que las leyes del respectivo pais 
concedieren contra tal violacion, 



Plenipotentiary Representatives 
of the five Central American Re- 
publics, their excellencies, the 
Representative of the Govern- 
ment of the United Mexican 
States, Ambassador Don Enrique 
C. Creel, and the Representative 
of the Government of the United 
States of America, Mr. William 
I. Buchanan, were present at all 
the deliberations. 

The Delegates, assembled in the 
Central American Peace Confer- 
ence at Washington, after having 
communicated to one another their 
respective full powers, which they 
found to be in due form, have 
agreed to carry out the said pur- 
pose in the following manner : 



Article I. 

The Pligh Contracting Parties 
agree by the present Convention 
to constitute and maintain a per- 
manent tribunal which shall be 
called the " Central American 
Court of Justice ", to which they 
bind themselves to submit all con- 
troversies or questions which may 
arise among them, of whatsoever 
nature and no matter what their 
origin ma^^ be, in case the respec- 
tive Departments of Foreign Af- 
fairs should not have been able 
to reach an understanding. 

Article IL 

This Court shall also take cog- 
nizance of the questions which 
individuals of one Central Amer- 
ican country may raise against 
any of the other contracting Gov- 
ernments, because of the violation 
of treaties or conventions, and 
other cases .of an international 
character; no matter whether 
their own Government supports 
said claim or not; and provided 
that the remedies which the laws 
of the respective country provide 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



45 



6 se demonstrare clenegacion de 
jitsticia. 

Articulo III.* 

Tambien conocera de los casos 
que de coniun acuerdo le sometie- 
ren los Gobiernos contratantes, ya 
sea que ocurran entre dos 6 mas 
de ellos 6 entre alguno de dicbos 
Gobiernos y particulares. 



against such violation shall have 
been exhausted or that denial of 
justice shall have been shown. 

Article III.* 

It shall also take cognizance of 
the cases which by common ac- 
cord the contracting Governments 
may submit to it, no matter 
whether thej'^ arise between two 
or more of them or between one 
of said Governments and individ- 
uals. 



Articulo IV. 

Podra igualmente conocer la 
Corte de las cuestiones inter- 
nacionales, que por convencion 
especial hayan dispuesto some- 
terle alguno de los Gobiernos Cen- 
troamericanos y el de una nacion 
extranjera. 

Articulo V. 

La Corte de Justicia Centro- 
americana tendra su asiento en la 
Ciudad de Cartago, de la Repii- 
blica de Costa Hica; pero podra 
trasladar accidentalmente su resi- 
dencia a otro punto de Centro 
America, cuando, por razones de 
salubridad, de garantia para el 
ejercicio de sus funciones, 6 de 
seguridad personal de sus miem- 
bros, lo juzgare conveniente. 

Articulo VI. 

La Corte de Justicia Centro- 
americana se organizara con cinco 
Magistrados, nombrados uno por 
cada Eepiiblica y escogidos entre 
los jurisconsultos que tengan las 
condiciones que las leyes de cada 
pais exijan para el ejercicio de la 



* El texto de este articulo fu6 corre- 
gido en virtud de un Protocolo adi- 
clonal que en la misma fecha se firmo, 
de modo que el verdadero texto es el 
que se encuentra en la pagina 24. 



Article IV. 

The Court can likewise take 
cognizance of the international 
questions which by special agree- 
ment SLiij one of the Central 
American Governments and a 
foreign Government may have 
determined to submit to it. 

Article V. 

The Central American Court 
of Justice shall sit at the City of 
Cartago in the Eepublic of Costa 
Rica, but it may temporarily 
transfer its residence to another 
point in Central America when- 
ever it deems it expedient for rea- 
sons of health, or in order to in- 
sure the exercise of its functions, 
or of the personal safety of its 
members. 

Article VI. 

The Central American Court 
of Justice shall consist of five 
Justices, one being appointed by 
each Republic and selected from 
among the jurists who possess the 
qualifications which the laws of 
each country prescribe for the ex- 

* The text of this article was cor- 
rected by an additional Protocol of the 
same date, so that the true text will be 
found on p. 24. 



46 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



Alta Magistratura, y gocen de la 
mas elevada consideracion, tanto 
por sus condiciones morales, como 
por su competencia profesional. 

Las vacantes seran Uenadas por 
Magistrados suplentes, nombra- 
dos al propio tiempo y del mismo 
modo que los propietarios y de- 
beran reunir identicas condiciones 
a las de estos. 

La concurrencia de los cinco 
Magistrados que componen el 
Tribunal es indispensable para 
que haya quorum legal en las 
resoluciones de la Corte. 

ARTICUIiO VII. 

El Poder Legislativo de cada 
una de las cinco Kepublicas con- 
tratantes nombrara sus respec- 
tivos Magistrados, un propietario 
y dos suplentes. 

El sueldo de cada Magistrado 
sera el de ocho mil pesos anua- 
les, en oro americano, que se les 
pagara por la Tesoreria de la 
Corte. El sueldo del Magistrado 
del lugar donde la Corte resida 
sera seilalado por el respectivo 
Gobierno. Ademas, cada Estado 
contribuira con dos mil pesos oro 
anuales para los gastos ordinarios 
y extraordinarios del Tribunal. 
Los Gobiernos de las Eepiiblicas 
contratantes se obligan a consig- 
nar las partidas respectivas en sus 
presupuestos de erogaciones y a 
remitir por trimestres adelanta- 
dos a la Tesoreria de la Corte la 
parte que por tales servicios les 
corresponda. 



Articiilo VIII. 

Los Magistrados propietarios y 
suplentes seran nombrados para 
un periodo de cinco aiios, que se 
contara desde el dia en que tomen 
posesion de sus cargos, y pueden 
ser reelectos. 



ercise of high judicial office, and 
who enjoy the highest considera- 
tion, both because of their moral 
character and their professional 
ability. 

Vacancies shall be filled by sub- 
stitute Justices, named at the 
same time and in the same man- 
ner as the regular Justices and 
who shall unite the same quali- 
fications as the latter. 

The attendance of the five jus- 
tices who constitute the Tribunal 
is indispensable in order to make 
a legal quorum in the decisions of 
the Court. 

Article VII. 

The Legislative Power of each 
one of the five contracting Repub- 
lics shall appoint their respective 
Justices, one regular and two sub- 
stitutes. 

The salary of each Justice shall 
be eight thousand dollars, gold, 
per annum, which shall be paid 
them by the Treasury of the 
Court. The salary of the Jus- 
tice of the country where the 
Court resides shall be fixed by the 
Government thereof. Further- 
more each State shall contribute 
two thousand dollars, gold, an- 
nually toward the ordinary and 
extraordinary expenses of the 
Tribunal. The Governments of 
the contracting Republics bind 
themselves to include their re- 
spective contributions in their es- 
timates of expenses and to remit 
quarterly in advance to the Treas- 
ury of the Court the share they 
may have to bear on account of 
such services. 

Article VIII. 

The regular and substitute Jus- 
tices shall be appointed for a term 
of five years, which shall be 
counted from the day on which 
they assume the duties of their 
office, and they may be reelected. 



CENTRA!, AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



47 



En caso de falleciiniento, re- 
nuncia 6 incapacidad permanente 
de cualquiera de ellos, se proce- 
dera a su reemplazo por la respec- 
tiva Legislatura, y el Magistrado 
electo continiiara el periodo de su 
predecesor. 

Articulo IX. 

Los Ma'gistrados propietarios y 
suplentes prestaran el jiiramento 
6 la protesta de Ley ante la auto- 
ridad que los hubiere nombrado, 
y desde este momento gozaran de 
las inmunidades y prerrogativas 
que por la presente Convencion se 
les confiere. Los Propietarios 
gozaran tambien, desde entonces, 
del sueldo asigiiado en el Articulo 
VII. 

Articulo X. 

Mientras permanezcan en el 
pais de sii nombramiento, los 
Magistrados propietarios y_ su- 
plentes gozaran de la inmunidad 
personal que las respectivas leyes 
otorguen a los Magistrados de la 
Suprema Corte de Justicia, y en 
las otras Eepublicas contratantes 
tendran los privilegios e inmuni- 
dades de los Agentes Diplomati- 
cos. 

Articulo XL 

El cargo de Magistrado en fun- 
ciones es incompatible con el ejer- 
cicio de su profesion y con el des- 
empefio de cargos piiblicos. La 
misma incompatibilidad se esta- 
blece para los Magistrados su- 
plentes por el tiempo que ejerzan 
efectivamente sus funciones. 

Articulo XII. 

En su primera sesi(5n amuil, la 
Corte elegira entre los Maigistra- 
dos de su seno un Presidente y un 
Vice-Presidente ; organizara el 
personal de su oficina, con la de- 



In case of death, resignation or 
permanent incapacity of any of 
them, the vacancy shall be filled 
by the respective Legislature, and 
the Justice elected shall complete 
the term of his predecessor. 



Article IX. 

The regular and substitute Jus- 
tices shall take oath or make af- 
firmation prescribed by law be- 
fore the authority that may have 
appointed them, and from that 
moment they shall enjoy the im- 
munities and prerogatives which 
the present Convention confers 
upon them. The regular Justices 
shall likewise enjoy thenceforth 
the salary fixed in Article VII. 

Article X. 

Whilst they remain in the coun- 
try of their appointment the reg- 
ular and substitute Justices shall 
enjoy the personal immunity 
.which the respective laws grant to 
the magistrates of the Supreme 
Court of Justice, and in the other 
contracting Eepublics they shall 
have the privileges and immuni- 
ties of Diplomatic Agents. 

Article XL 

The office of Justice whilst held 
is incompatible with the exercise 
of his profession, and with the 
holding of public office. The 
same incompatibility applies to 
the substitute Justices so long as 
they may actually perform their 
duties. 

Article XII. 

At its first annual session the 
Court shall elect from among its 
own members a President and 
Vice-President; it shall organize 
the personnel of its office by desig- 



48 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



signacion de nn Secretario,nn Te- 
sorero y los clemas empleaclos 
subalternos que juzgue iiecesa- 
rios; y fijara su presupuesto de 
gastos. . 

Articulo XIII. 

La Corte de Justicia Ceutro- 
americana representa la coiicien- 
cia nacional de Centre America, y 
en tal virtud los Magistrados que 
conipongan el Tribunal no podran 
considerarse inhibidos del ejerci- 
cio de sus funciones por el interes 
que puedan tener en algiin caso 6 
cuestion las Eepiiblicas de donde 
se derive su nonibramiento. En 
cuanto a implicaciones y recusa- 
ciones, las ordenanzas de procedi- 
miento que la Corte dictare dis- 
pondran lo conveniente. 



AETicrLO XIV. 

Cuando ocurran diferencias 6 
cuestiones sujetas a la competen- 
cia del Tribunal, la parte intere- 
sada debera presentar demanda 
que comprenda todos los puntos 
de heclio y de dereclio relativos al 
asunto J todas las pruebas perti- 
nentes. El Tribunal comunicara, 
sin perdida de tiempo, el libelo de 
demanda a los Gobiernos 6 parti- 
culares interesados y los invitara 
a que presenten sus alegaciones y 
probanzas dentro del termino que 
se les senale, que, en ningiin caso, 
excedera de sesenta dias contados 
desde la notificacion de la de- 
manda. 



Articulo XV. 

Si transcurriere el termino se- 
ilalado sin que se liaya contestado 
la demanda, la Corte requerira al 
demandado 6 demandados para 
que lo verifiquen dentro de un 
nuevo termino que no podra exce- 



nating a Clerk, a Treasurer, and 
such other subordinate employees 
as it may deem necessary, and it 
shall draw up the estimate of its 
expenses. 

Article XIII. 

The Central American Court 
of Justice represents the national 
conscience of Central "America, 
Avherefore the Justices who com- 
pose the Tribunal shall not con- 
sider themselves barred from the 
discharge of their duties because 
of the interest which the Repub- 
lics, to which they owe their ap- 
pointment, may have in any case 
or question. With regard to alle- 
gations of personal interest, the 
rules of procedure which the 
Court may fix, shall make proper 
provision. 

Article XIV. 

When differences or questions 
subject to the jurisdiction of the 
Tribunal arise, the interested 
party shall present a complaint 
which shall comprise all the 
points of fact and law relative to 
the matter, and all pertinent evi- 
dence. The Tribunal shall com- 
municate w^ithout loss of time a 
copy of the complaint to the Gov- 
ernments or individuals inter- 
ested, and shall invite them to fur- 
nish their allegations and evi- 
dence wnthin the term that it may 
designate to them, which, in no 
case, shall exceed sixty dnjs 
counted from the date of notice 
of the complaint. 

Article XV. 

If the term designated shall 
have expired without answer hav- 
ing been made to the complaint, 
the Court shall require the com- 
plainant or complainants to do so 
within a further term not to ex- 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFEEEXCE. 



49 



der de veinte dias, rencido el cual 
y en vista de las pruebas presenta- 
das. J de las que de oficio haya 
creido conveniente obtener el Tri- 
bunal, dictara el fallo correspon- 
diente, que sera definitive. 



ceed twenty days, after the expi- 
ration of which and in view of 
the evidence presented and of 
such evidence as it may ew officio 
have seen fit to obtain, the Tribu- 
nal shall render its decision in the 
case, which decision shall be final. 



Articttlo XYI. 

Si el Gobierno. Gobiernos 6 par- 
ticulares demandados hubieren 
acudido en tiempo ante la Corte. 
presentando sus alegaciones y pro- 
banzas, esta fallara el asunto den- 
tro de los treinta dias siguientes. 
sin mas tramite ni diligencia ; pero 
si se solicitare un nuevo plazo 
para presenter otras pruebas. la 
Corte decidira si es oj^ortuno 6 no 
concederlo ; y, en caso afirmativo. 
sefialara para ello un termino pru- 
dente. Yencido este termino. la 
Corte pronunciara su fallo defini- 
tivo dentro de treinta dias. 



Articulo XVII. 

Cada uno de los Gobiernos 6 
particulares a quienes ■ directa- 
mente conciernan las cuestiones 
que van a tratarse en la Corte, 
tiene derecho para hacerse repre- 
sentar ante ella' por persona 6 per- 
sonas de su confianza, que presen- 
ten pruebas, formulen alegatos y 
promuevan. en los terminos fija- 
clos por esta Convencion y por las 
ordenanzas de la Corte cle Justi- 
cia. todo lo que a su juicio sea con- 
ducente a la defensa de los de- 
rechos que represent an. 

Articulo XVIII. 

• Desde el momento en que se 
inicie alguna reclamacion contra 
uno 6 mas Gobiernos hasta el en 
que se falle definitivamente. la 
Corte Podra fijar la situacion en 
que deban permanecer las Partes 

37200—08 4 



Article XVI. 

If the Government, Govern- 
ments, or individuals sued shall 
have appeared in time before the 
Coiu:"t, presenting their allega- 
tions and evidence, the Court 
shall decide the matter within 
thirty days following, without 
further process or proceedings; 
but if a new term for the j^res- 
entation of evidence be solicited, 
the Court shall decide whether or 
not there is occasion to grant it; 
and in the affirmative it shall fix 
therefor a reasonable time. Upon 
the expiration of such term, the 
Court shall pronounce its final 
judgment within thirty days. 

Article XVII. 

Each one of the Governments 
or individuals directly concerned 
in the questions to be considered 
by the Court has the right to be 
represented before it by a trust- 
worthy person or persons, who 
shall present evidence, formulate 
arguments, and shall, within the 
terms fixed by this Convention 
and by the rules of the Court of 
Justice do everything that in their 
judgment shall be beneficial to the 
defense of the rights they repre- 
sent. 

Article XVIII. 

From the moment in which any 
suit is instituted against any one 
or more governments up to that 
in which a final decision has been 
pronounced, the court may at the 
solicitation of any one of the par- 



50 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



contendieiites. ii solicitud cle cual- 
quiera de ellas, a fin de no agra- 
var el mal, y de que las cosas se 
conserven en el mismo estado 
mientras se pronuncia el fallo 
definitivo. 

Articulo XIX. 

Para todos los efectos de esta 
Convencion, la Corte de Justicia 
Centroamericana podra dirigirse 
a los Gobiernos 6 tribunales de 
justicia de los Estados contratan- 
tes, por el organo del Ministerio 
de Relaciones Exteriores 6 de la 
Secretaria de la Corte Suprenia 
de Justicia del respectivo pais, 
segTin la naturaleza de la diligen- 
cia que hay a de practicarse, a fin 
de hacer ejecutar las providencias 
que dictare en la esfera de sus 
atribuciones. 



Articulo XX. 

Tambien podra nombrar Co- 
misionados Especiales para la 
practica de las referidas diligen- 
cias, cuando lo juzgue asi opor- 
tuno, para su mejor cumplimien- 
to. En tal caso, solicitara del 
Gobierno donde vaya a practi- 
carse la diligencia su cooperacion 
y auxilio, para que el Comisio- 
nado cumpla su cometido. Los 
Gobiernos contratantes se com- 
prometen formalmente a obede- 
cer y hacer que se obedezcan las 
providencias de la Corte, pres- 
tando todos los auxilios que sean 
necesarios para su mejor y mas 
pronta ejecucion. 

Articulo XXI. 

La Corte de Justicia Centro- 
americana juzgara acerca de los 
puntos de hecho ■ que se ventilen 
segun su libre apreciacion; y en 
cuanto a los de derecho, conforme 
a los principios del derecho inter- 



ties fix the situation in which the 
contending parties must remain, 
to the end that the difficulty shall 
not be aggravated and that things 
shall be conserved in statu quo 
pending a final decision. 

Article XIX. 

For all the effects of this Con- 
vention, the Central American 
Court of Justice may address it- 
self to the Governments or tribu- 
nals of justice of the contracting 
States, through the medium of 
the Ministry of Foreign Relations 
or the office of the Clerk of the 
Supreme Court of Justice of the 
respective country, according to 
the nature of the requisite pro- 
ceeding, in order to have the meas- 
ures that it may dictate within 
the scope of its jurisdiction car- 
ried out. 

Article XX. 

It may also appoint special 
commissioners to carry out the 
formalities above referred to, 
M'hen it deems it expedient for 
their better fulfillment. In such 
case, it shall ask of the Govern- 
ment where the proceeding is to 
be had, its cooperation and assist- 
ance, in order that the Commis- 
sioner may fulfill his mission. 
The contracting Governments 
formally bind themselves to obey 
and to enforce the orders of the 
Court, furnishing all the assist- 
ance that may be necessary for 
their best and- most expeditious 
fulfillment. 

Article XXI. 

In deciding points of fact that 
may be raised before it, the Cen- 
tral American Court of Justice 
shall be governed by its free 
judgment, and with respect to 
points of law, by the principles 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



51 



nacional. La sentencia definitiva 
comprendera cada iino de los 
puntos en litigio. 

Articulo XXII. 

La Gorte tiene facultad para 
deterniinar su competencia inter- 
pretando los Tratados y Conven- 
ciones pertinentes al asiinto en 
disputa T aplicando los principios 
del derecho internacional. 

Aeticulo XXIII. 

Toda resolucion definitiva 6 
interlocutoria debera dictarse me- 
diante el acuerdo, por lo menos. de 
tres de los Magistrados del Tri- 
bunal. En caso de desacuer- 
do, se llamara por sorteo a iino 
de los Magistrados snplentes, y 
si ami asi no se obtuviere la 
niayoria de tres, se continiiara 
sorteando otros snplentes. hasta 
obtener tr.es votos nniformes. 

Articulo XXIV. 

Las sentencia s deberan ser con- 
signadas por escrito y contener 
una exposieion de los niotivos en 
que se funden. Deberan ser 
firmadas por todos los Magistra- 
dos del Tribunal y autorizadas 
por el Secretario. Una vez que 
hayan sido notificados, no podran 
alterarse por ningiin motivo; 
pero, a pedimento de cualquiera 
de las Partes, podra el Tribunal 
declarar la interpretacion que 
deba darse a sus fallos. 

Aeticuxo XXV. 

Los fallos de la Corte se 
comunicaran a los cinco Gobier- 
nos de las Republicas contratan- 
tes. Los interesados se compro- 
meten a someterse a dichos fallos ; 
y todos a prestar el apoyo moral 
que sea necesario para que tengan 
su debido cumpliniiento. consti- 
tuyendo en esta forma una garan- 



of International Law. The final 
judgment shall cover each one of 
the points in litigation. 

Article XXII, 

The Court is competent to 
determine its jurisdiction, inter- 
preting the Treaties and Conven- 
tions germane to the matter in 
dispute, and applying the princi- 
ples of international law. 

Article XXIII. 

Every final or interlocutory 
decision shall be rendered with 
the concurrence of at least three 
of the Justices of the Court. In 
case of disagreement, one of the 
substitute Justices shall be chosen 
by lot, and if still a majority of 
three be not thus obtained other 
Justices shall be successively 
chosen by lot until three uniform 
^'otes shall have been obtained. 

Article XXIV. 

The decisions must be in writ- 
ing and shall contain a statement 
of the reasons upon which they 
are based. They must be signed 
by all the Justices of the Court 
and countersigned by the Clerk. 
Once they have been notified they 
can not be altered on any 
account; but, at the request of 
any of the parties, the Tribunal 
may declare the interj)retation 
which must be given to its judg- 
ments. 

Article XXV. 

The judgments of the Court 
shall be communicated to the five 
Governments of the contracting 
Republics. The interested par- 
ties solemnly bind themselves to 
submit to said judgments, and all 
agree to lend all moral support 
that may be necessary in order 
that they may be properly ful- 



52 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONPERENCE. 



tia real y positiva de respeto a 
esta Convencion y a la Corte de 
Justicia Centroamericana. 



Articulo XXVI. 

Queda autorizado el Tribunal 
para acordar su reglamento, para 
dictar las ordenanzas de procedi- 
miento que sean necesarias y para 
la determinacion de formas y 
plazos que no se hayan prescrito 
en la presente Convencion. Tod as 
las disposiciones que se dicten 
sobre el particular se comunica- 
ran inmediatamente a las Altas 
Partes Contratantes. 

AKTicrnLO XXVII. 

Las Altas Partes Contratantes 
declaran que por ningun motivo 
ni en caso alguno daran por ca- 
ducada la presente Convencion; 
y que, en consecuencia, la conside- 
raran siempre vigente durante el 
termino de diez aiios, contadps 
desde la ultima ratificacion. En 
el evento de que se cambie 6 altere 
la forma politica de alguna 6 al- 
gunas de las Repiiblicas contra- 
tantes, se suspenderan ipso facto 
las funciones de la Corte de Jus- 
ticia Centroamericana; y se con- 
vocara desde luego, por los res- 
pectivos Gobiernos, una Confe- 
rencia para ajustar la constitu- 
cion de dicha Corte al nuevo or- 
den de cosas; y en caso de no lie- 
gar por unanimidad a un acuerdo, 
se tendra por rescindida la pre- 
sente Convencion, 



Akticulo XXVIII. 

El canje de ratificaciones de la 
presente Convencion se liara de 
conf ormidad con el Articulo XXI 
del Tratado General de Paz y 
Amistad concluido en esta fecha. 



filled, thereby constituting a real 
and positive guarantee of respect 
for this Convention and for the 
Central American Court of Jus- 
tice. 

Article XXVI. 

The Court is empowered to 
make its rules, to formulate the 
rules of procedure which may be 
necessary, and to determine the 
forms and terms not jDrescribed 
in the present Convention. All 
the decisions which may be ren- 
dered in this respect shall be com- 
municated immediately to the 
High Contracting Parties. 



Article XXVII. 

The High Contracting Parties 
solemnly declare that on no 
ground nor in any case will they 
consider the j)resent Convention 
as void ; and that, therefore, they 
will consider it as being always in 
force during the term of ten years 
counted from the last ratifica- 
tion. In the event of the change 
or alteration of the political sta- 
tus of one or more of the Con- 
tracting Pepublics, the functions 
of the Central American Court of 
Justice created hj this Conven- 
tion shall be suspended ipso 
facto; and a conference to adjust 
the constitution of said Court to 
the new order of things shall be 
forthwith convoked by the re- 
spective Governments; in case 
they do not unanimously agree 
the j)resent Convention shall be 
considered as rescinded. 

Article XXVIII. 

The exchange of ratifications of 
the present Convention shall be 
made in accordance with Article 
XXI of the General Treaty of 
Peace and Amity concluded on 
this date. 



CEXTEAL AMEEICAX PEACE COXFEEEXCE. 



53 



AnTicuLo Traxsitorio. 

Como recomendacion de las 
cinco Delegaciones. se agrega un 
Articiilo aneso que contiene una 
ampliacion de las facultades de 
la Corte de Justicia Centroame- 
ricana, para que las Legislaturas 
que lo estimen conveniente pue- 
dan incluirlo en esta Convencion. 
al ratificarla. 

Articcxo Axexo. 

La Corte de Justicia Centro- 
americana conocera tambien de 
los confiictos que pueda liaber en- 
tre los Poderes Legislativo. Eje- 
cutivo y Judicial, x cuando de 
hecho no se respeten los fallos 
judiciales 6 las resoluciones del 
Congreso Xacional. 

Firmada en la ciudad de Wash- 
ington, a los veinte dias de Di- 
ciembre de mil novecientos siete. 



Protisioxal Article. 

As recommended by the fire 
Delegations an Article is annexed 
which contains an amplification 
of the jurisdiction of the Central 
American Court of Justice, in 
order that the Legislatures may, 
if they see fit. include it in this 
Convention upon ratifying it. 



AxxEXED Article. 

The Central American Court of 
Justice shall also hare jurisdic- 
tion over the conflicts "which may 
arise between the Legislative, Ex- 
ecutive and Judicial Powers, and 
when as a matter of fact the judi- 
cial decisions and resolutions of 
the Xational Congress are not re- 
spected. 

Signed at the city of Washing- 
ton on the twentieth day of De- 
cember, one thousand nine hun- 
dred and seven. 



Lrrs Axdersox 

J. B. Calvo 

AxTOxio Batres Jaxtreg'ci 

Lrrs Toledo Hxrraete 

Victor Saxchez O. 

POLICARPO Box ILL A 
AX'GEL UgaRTE 

e. coxstaxtixo flallos 
Jose ^Madriz 
Litis F. Corea 
Salvador Gallegos 
Salvador EoDRiorEZ G. 
F. Mejia. 



[Inclosure No. 8.] 



PROTOCOLO ADICIONAL A LA CON- 
VENCION PARA EL ESTABLECI- 
MIENTO DE UNA CORTE DE JUS- 
TICIA CENTROAMERICANA. 

En la ciiidad de Washington, a 
la una de la tarde del dia veinte 
do Diciembre de mil novecientos 
siete. Los infrascritos Delegados 
a la Conferencia de Paz Centro- 
americana : 

Por Costa Kica: Excelentisi- 
mos Senores Licenciado Don Luis 
Anderson j Don Joaquin B. 
Calvo ; 

Por Guatemala : Excelentisi- 
mos Senores Licenciado Don An- 
tonio Batres Jauregui, Doctor 
Don Luis Toledo Herrarte y Don 
Victor Sanchez-Ocana ; 

Por Honduras : Excelentisimos 
Seiiores Doctor Don Policarpo 
B o n i 1 1 a, Doctor Don Angel 
Ugarte y Don E. Constantino 
Fiallos ; 

Por Nicaragua : Excelentisimos 
Seiiores Doctores Don Jose Ma- 
driz y Don Luis F. Corea ; y 

Por EL Salvador: Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Gallegos, Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Rodriguez Gonzalez y Don 
Federico Mejia, 

Notando que se ha cometido un 
error de copia al consignar el 
Articulo III de la Convencion 
para el establecimiento de una 
Corte de Justica Centroameri- 
cana, concluida en esta fecha, 
hacen constar que el texto auten- 
tico de dicho Articulo III es 
como sigue : 

" Tambien conocera de los casos 
que ocurran entre alguno de los 
Gobiernos contrantes y personas 
54 



ADDITIONAL PROTOCOL TO THE 
CONVENTION FOR THE ESTAB- 
LISHMENT OF A CENTRAL AMER- 
ICAN COURT OF JUSTICE. 

At the city of Washington, at 
one o'clock in the afternoon of 
the twentieth day of December, 
one thousand nine hundred and 
seven. The undersigned Dele- 
gates to the Central American 
Peace Conference: 

For Costa Rica: Their Excel- 
lencies Doctor Luis Anderson and 
Don Joaquin B. Calvo ; 

For Guatemala: Their Excel- 
lencies Doctor Don Antonio 
Batres Jauregui, Doctor Don Luis 
Toledo Herrarte and Don Victor 
Sanchez -Ocaiia ; 

For Honduras : Their Excel- 
lencies Doctor Don Policarpo Bo- 
nilla, Doctor Don Angel Ugarte 
and Don E. Constantino Fiallos; 

For Nicaragua: Their Excel- 
lencies Doctor Don Jose Madriz 
and Doctor Don Luis F. Corea; 

For Salvador : Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Salvador Ga- 
llegos, Doctor Don Salvador 
Rodriguez Gonzalez and Don 
Federico Mejia, 

Noting that an error has been 
committed in copying the text of 
Article III of the Convention for 
the establishment of a Central 
American Court of Justice, con- 
cluded on this date, make it known 
that the authentic text of said 
Article III is as follows : 

" It shall also have jurisdic- 
tion over cases arising between 
any of the contracting Govern- 



CENTEAX, AMEEICAlSr PEACE CONFEEENCE. 55 

particulares, cuando cle comun ments and individuals, when by 
acuerdo le fueren sometidos." common accord they are sub- 

mitted to it." 
En fe de lo cual firman el pre- In testimony whereof they sign 
sente Protocol©, que ha de con- the present Protocol, which shall 
siderarse como parte integrante be considered as an integral part 
de la Convencion. of the Convention. 

Luis Anderson 

J. B. Calvo 

Antonio Batkes Jaueegtji 

Luis Toledo ELerearte 

Victor Sanohez O. 

policarpo bonilla 

Angel Ugarte 

E. Constantino Fiallos 
Jose Madriz 

Luis F. Corea 
Salvador Gallegos 
Salvador Eodriguez G. 

F. Mejia. 



[Inclosure No. 9.] 
CONVENCION DE EXTRADICION. EXTRADITION CONVENTION. 



Los Gobiernos de las Repu- 
blicas de Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua y el Salva- 
dor, deseando confirmar sus amis- 
tosas relaciones v promover la 
causa de la justicia, han resuelto 
celebrar una Convencion para la 
extradicion de los profugos de la 
misma, y, al efecto, han nom- 
brado Delegados : 

Costa Rica : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Licenciado Don 
Luis Anderson v Don Joaquin 
B. Calvo; 

Guatemala: a los Excelen- 
tisimos Senores Licenciado Don 
Antonio Batres Jauregui, Doctor 
Don Luis Toledo Herrarte y Don 
Victor Sanchez Ocaiia ; 

Honduras : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Poli- 
carpo Bonilla, Doctor Don Angel 
Ugarte y Don E. Constantino 
Fiallos ; 

Nicaragua : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctores Don Jose 
Madriz y Don Luis F. Corea ; y 

EL Salvador: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Gallegos, Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Rodriguez Gonzalez y Don 
Federico Mejia. 

En virtud de la invitacion 
hecha conforme al Articulo II 
del Protocolo firmado en Wash- 
ington el 17 de Setiembre de 1907 
por los Representantes Plenipo- 
tenciarios de las cinco Repiiblicas 
Centroamericanas, estuvieron 

56 



The Governments of the Re- 
]3ublics of Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Salva- 
dor, desiring to confirm their 
friendly relations and to promote 
the cause of justice, have re- 
solved to celebrate a Convention 
for the extradition of fugitives 
from justice, and to that end have 
named as delegates: 

CosTA Rica: Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Luis Anderson 
and Don Joaquin B. Calvo; 

Guatemala : Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Antonio Batres 
Jauregui, Doctor Don Luis To- 
ledo Herrarte, and Don Victor 
Sanchez Ocaiia; 

Honduras : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Policarpo Bonilla, 
Doctor Don Angel IJgarte, and 
Don E. Constantino Fiallos; 

Nicaragua: Their Excellencies 
Doctors Don Jose Madriz and 
Don Luis F. Corea; and 

Salvador: Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Salvador Gallegos, 
Doctor Don Salvador Rodriguez 
Gonzalez, and Don Federico Me- 
jia. 

By virtue of the invitation sent 
in accordance with Article II of 
the Protocol signed at Washing- 
ton on September 17, 1907, by the 
Plenipotentiary Representatives 
of the five Central American Re- 
publics, their excellencies, the 



CEFTEAL, AMERICAiSr PEACE CONFEREATCE. 



presentes en todas las delibera- 
ciones los Excelentisimos Seiiores 
Representante del Gobierno de los 
Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Em- 
bajador Don Enrique C. Creel, y 
Representante del Gobierno de los 
Estados Unidos de America, Mr. 
William I. Buchanan. 

Los Delegados, reunidos en la 
Conferencia de Paz Centroameri- 
cana en Washington, despues de 
haberse comunicaclo sus respec- 
tivos plenos poderes, que encon- 
traron en buena forma, han con- 
renido en llevar a efecto el pro- 
posito indicado de la manera 
sisuiente : 



Representative of the Govern- 
ment of the United Mexican 
States. Ambassador Don Enrique 
C. Creel, and the Representative 
of the Government of the United 
States of America,' Mr. William 
1. Buchanan, were present at all 
the deliberations. 

The Delegates, assembled in the 
Central American Peace Confer- 
ence at Washington, after having 
communicated to one another their 
respective full powers, which they 
found to be in due form, have 
agreed to carry out the said pur- 
pose in the following manner: 



Aeticulo I. 

Las Republicas Contratantes 
convienen en entregarse recipro- 
camente los individuos que se 
refugien en el territorio de cada 
una de ellas, y que en la otra hu- 
bieren sido condenados como> au- 
tores, complices 6 encubridores de 
un delito. a una j^ena no menor 
de dos anos de la privacion de la 
libertad, 6 que estuvieren pro- 
cesados por un delito que, con- 
forme a las leyes del pais que hace 
el requirimiento, merezca una 
pena igual 6 mayor que la ex- 
presada. 

Aeticiilo II. 

No se concedera la extradieion 
en ninguno de los casos siguien- 
tes : 

1. Cuando la prueba de la de- 
lincuencia presentada por la parte 
requeriente no justificare, con- 
forme a las leyes del lugar donde 
se encuentre el profugo enjui- 
ciado, su aprehension y enjuicia- 
miento. en caso de que el delito 
se hubiere cometido alii. 

2. Cuando el delito imputado 
sea de caracter politico, 6 siendo 
comun. fuere conexo con este. 



Article I. 

The Contracting Republics 
agree to deliver up reciprocally 
the individuals who may take 
refuge in the territory of one of 
them and who in the other may 
have been condemned as authors, 
accomplices, or abettors of a 
crime, to a penalty of not less 
than two years of deprivation of 
their liberty, or who may have 
been indicted for a crime which, 
in accordance with the laws of the 
demanding country, carries a pen- 
nlty equal to or greater than that 
above stated. 

Article II. 

Extradition shall not be grant- 
ed in any of the following cases: 

1. When the evidence of crimi- 
nality presented by the demand- 
ing party would not justify, ac- 
cording to the laws of the place 
where the fugitive so charged is 
found, his apprehension and com- 
mitment for trial, if the offense 
had been there committed. 

2. When the offense charged is 
of a political character, or. being 
a common crime, is connected 
therewith. 



58 



CENTEALi AMEEICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



3. Cuando, conforme a las lej^es 
del pais reclamante 6 las del asilo, 
hiibieren prescrito la accion 6 la 
pena, 

4. Si el reo reclamado hubiere 
sido ya juzgado sentenciado por 
el mismo acto en la Republica 
donde reside. 

5. Si en esta, el lieclio por que 
se pide la extradicion no fuere 
considerado comb delito. 

6. Cuando la pena que corres- 
pondiere al delito por que se pide 
la extradicion fuere la de muerte, 
a no ser que el Gobierno que hace 
la solicitud se comprometiere a 
aplicar la inmediata inferior. 

Articulo III. 

La persona cuya extradicion se 
liaya concedido, con motivo de 
uno de los delitos mencionados en 
el Articulo I, en ningiin caso sera 
juzgada y castigada en el pais a 
que se hace la entrega por un de- 
lito politico cometido antes de su 
extradicion, ni por un acto que 
tenga atingencia con un delito po- 
litico. No se considerara delito 
politico el atentaclo contra la rida 
del Jefe de un Gobierno, ni los 
atentaclos anarquistas, siempre 
que la ley de los paises requeriente 
y requerido hay a fijado pena para 
dichos actos. En este caso la ex- 
tradicion se concedera aiin cuando 
el delito de que se trata tuviere 
una pena menor de dos alios de 
prision. 



Articulo IV. 

Las Altas Partes Contratantes 
no estaran en la obligacion de en- 
tregar a sus nacionales; pero de- 
beran enjuiciarlos por las infrac- 
ciones de la ley penal cometidas 
en cualquiera de las otras Repu- 
blicas; y el Gobierno respectivo 



3. When under the laws of the 
demanding country or of that of 
asylum, the action or the penalty 
has been barred. 

4. If the accused demanded 
should have been alread}^ tried 
and sentenced for the same act in 
the Republic wherein he resides. 

5. If in the latter, the act be- 
cause of which extradition is re- 
quested should not be considered 
a crime. 

6. When the penalty corre- 
sponding to the crime for which 
extradition is requested shall be 
that of death, unless the demand- 
ing Government binds itself to 
apply tlie next lower penalty. 

Article III. 

The person whose extradition 
is conceded, because of one of the 
crimes mentioned in Article I, 
shall in no case be tried and pun- 
ished in the country to which he 
is surrendered for a political 
crime committed before his extra- 
dition nor for an act which ma}^ 
have connection with a political 
crime. The attempt against the 
life of the head of the govern- 
ment or anarchistical attempts 
shall not be considered a political 
crime, provided that the law of 
the demanding country and of the 
country of which extradition is 
requested shall have fixed a pen- 
alty for said acts. In that case 
extradition shall be granted, even 
when the crime in question shall 
carry a penalty of less than two 
years of imprisonment. 

Article IV. 

The High Contracting Parties 
shall not be obliged to deliver 
their nationals ; but they must try 
them for the infractions of the 
Penal Code committed in unj of 
the other Republics, and the re- 
spective government must com- 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



59 



debera comimicar las diligencias, 
informaciones y documentos co- 
rrespondientes, reniitir los objetos 
que revelen el cuerpo del delito y 
suministrar todo lo que conduzca 
al esclarecimiento necesario para 
la expedicion del proceso. Veri- 
ficado esto, la causa se continuara 
hasta su terminacion, y el Go- 
bierno del pais del juzgamiento 
informara al otro del resultado 
definitivo. 

Artictilo V. 

Si el individuo de cuya extra- 
dicion se trata estuviere enjui- 
ciado 6 hubiere sido condenado en 
el pals del asilo por delito come- 
tido en el, no sera entregado si no 
despues de haber sido absuelto por 
sentencia firme, y, en caso de con- 
denacion, despues de haber extin- 
guido la condena 6 de liaber sido 
indultado. 



Articulo Vie 

Si el profugo, reclamado por 
una de las Partes Contratantes, lo 
fuere tambien por uno 6 mas Go- 
biernos. el reo sera entregado de 
preferencia al que primero lo 
haya pedido. 



Articulo YII. 

El pedimento para la entrega 
de los profugos se liara por los 
respectivos Agentes Diplomaticos 
de las Partes Contratantes, 6, en 
caso de estar ausentes del pais, 6 
de la residencia del Gobierno, po- 
dra hacerse por los Agentes Con- 
su lares. 

En casos urgentes, se podra so- 
licitar la detencion provisional 
del inculpado por medio de comu- 
nicacion telegrafica 6 postal, diri- 
gida al Ministerio de Relaciones 
Exteriores. 6 por medio del res- 



municate the corresponding pro- 
ceedings, information, and docu- 
ments, and deliver the articles 
which constitute the corpus de- 
licti^ furnishing everything con- 
ducive to the investigation neces- 
sary for the expedition of the 
trial. This having been done, the 
cause shall continue until its de- 
termination, and the government 
of the country of the trial shall in- 
form the other of the final result. 

Article V. 

If the individual whose extra- 
dition is sought should have 
been indicted or should have been 
found guilt}" in the country of his 
asjdum for a crime committed 
therein, he shall not be delivered 
except after having been acquitted 
by a final judgment, and in case 
of his conviction after he has 
served the sentence or has been 
pardoned. 

Article VI. 

If the fugitive whose extradi- 
tion is requested by one of the con- 
tracting parties should also have 
been sought by one or more gov- 
ernments he shall be delivered 
in preference to the one first mak- 
ing the requisition. 

Article VII. 

Request for the delivery of fu- 
gitives shall be made by the re- 
spective diplomatic agents of the 
contracting parties, or, in their 
absence from the country or from 
the seat of government, it may be 
n^ade by consular officers. 

In urgent cases the provisional 
detention of the accused may be 
requested by means of telegraphic 
or postal communication, ad- 
dressed to the ministry of foreign 
relations, or through the respect- 
ive diplomatic agent, in his ab- 



60 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



pectivo Agente Diplomatico, 6 del 
Consul, en su defecto. El arresto 
provisional se verificara segun las 
reglas establecidas por las leyes 
del pais requerida ; pero cesara, si, 
en el termino de un mes, contado 
desde que se verifico, no se for- 
malizare la reclamacion. 



Articulo VIII. 

En la reclamacion se especifi- 
cara la prueba 6 principio de 
prueba que, por las leyes del pais 
en que se hubiere cometido el de- 
lito, sea bastante para justificar la 
captura v enjuiciamiento del cul- 
pable. Tambien debera acompa- 
iiarse la sentencia condenatoria, 
acusacion, mandamiento de pri- 
sion 6 cualquier otro documento 
equivalente; j debe indicarse la 
naturaleza y gravedad de los he- 
chos imputados y las disposi- 
ciones penales que les sean aplica- 
bles. En caso de fuga, despues de 
estar condenado y antes de haber 
sufrido totalmente la pena, la re- 
clamacion expresara esta circuns- 
tancia e ira acompaiiada unica- 
mente de la sentencia. 



Articulo IX. 

La autoridad a quien corres- 
ponda hara la aprehension del 
profugo, con el fin de que sea 
presentado ante la autoridad ju- 
dicial competente para su exa- 
men. Si se decidiere que, con- 
forme a las leyes y pruebas pre- 
sentadas. procede la entrega, con 
arreglo a esta Convencion, el pro- 
fugo sera entregado en la forma 
legal prescrita para estos casos. 



Articulo X. 

La persona entregada no podra 
ser juzgada ni castigada en el 



sence, through the consul. The 
provisional arrest shall be made 
according to the rules estab- 
lished by the laws of the country 
of which extradition is requested ; 
but shall cease if the request 
for extradition has not been for- 
mally presented within the term 
of one month following the ar- 
rest. 

Article VIII. 

The request for extradition 
shall specify the evidence or foun- 
dation thereof which, by the laws 
of the country wherein the crime 
has been committed, shall be suffi- 
cient to justify the apprehension 
and commitment of the accused. 
The judgment, indictment, war- 
rant of arrest, or any other equi- 
valent document shall also accom- 
pany the same; and the nature 
and gravity of the acts charged 
and the provisions of the penal 
codes which are applicable there- 
to must be indicated. In case of 
flight after having- been found 
guilty and before serving the sen- 
tence, the request for extradition 
shall express these circumstances 
and shall be accompanied with 
the judgment only. 

Article IX. 

The proper authority shall ap- 
prehend the fugitive, to the end 
that he may be brought before 
the competent Judicial authority 
to be examined. If it is decided 
that according to the laws and 
the evidence presented the sur- 
render shall be carried out in ac- 
cordance with this Convention, 
the refugee shall be delivered in 
the manner prescribed b}^ law in 
such cases. 

■ Article X. 

The person delivered can not be 
tried nor punished in the country 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFEREl^CE. 



61 



pals al cual se ha concedido la 
extradicion, ni puesta en poder 
de un tercero con motivo de un 
delito no comprendido en esta 
Convencion, j cometido antes de 
su entrega, a no ser que el Go- 
bierno que la hace de su acquies- 
cencia para el enjuiciamiento 6 
para la entrega a dicha tercera 
nacion. 

Sin embargo, este consenti- 
miento no sera necesario : 

1. Cuando el acusado hay a pe- 
dido voluntariamente que se le 
juzgTie 6 se le entregiie a la ter- 
cera nacion; 

2. Cuando hay a tenido libertad 
para ausentarse del pais durante 
treinta dias, por haber sido puesto 
en libertad por falta de merito 
para la acusacion por la que se le 
entrego; 6 en caso de haber sido 
condenado, durante treinta dias 
despues de haber complido su con- 
dena 6 de haber obtenido indulto. 



to which his extradition has been 
granted, nor delivered to a third 
countr}^ because of a crime not in- 
cluded in this Convention, and 
committed before his surrender, 
unless the Government which 
makes the surrender consents to 
the trial, or to the delivery to said 
third nation. 

Nevertheless this consent shall 
not be necessary : 

1. ^Vlien the accused may vol- 
untarily have requested that he be 
tried or delivered to the third 
nation : 

2. '\'\^ien he may have been at 
liberty to leave the country for 
thirty days, his release having 
been based on the lack of founda- 
tion in the charge for which he 
was surrendered, or, in case of 
conviction, a term of thirty days 
after serving his sentence or ob- 
taining a pardon. 



AETicULO XI. 

Los gastos que causen el arres- 
to, manutencion y viaje del in- 
dividuo reclamado, lo mismo que 
los de la entrega y transporte de 
los objetos que, por tener relacion 
con el delito deban restituirse 6 
remitirse, seran a cargo de la 
Republica que solicite la entrega. 



Aeticulo XII. 



Aeticle XI. 

The expenses of arrest, main- 
tenance, and travel of the claimed 
person, as well as of the delivery 
and transportation of the articles 
which, because of their connec- 
tion with the crime, have to be 
returned or forwarded, shall be 
borne by the demanding Govern- 
ment. 

Aeticle XII. 



Todos los objetos encontrados 
en poder del acusado y obtenidos 
por medio de la comision del acto 
de que se le acuse, 6 que puedan 
servir de prueba del delito por el 
cual se pide su extradicion, se-. 
ran secuestrados y entrega dos con 
su persona, si asi lo ordena la au- 
toridad competente. Sin embar- 
go, se respetaran los derechos de 
tercero respecto de estos objetos, 
y no se hara su entrega mientras 



All the objects found in the 
possession of the accused and ob- 
tained through the commission of 
the act of which he is accused, or 
that may serve as e^ddence of the 
crime on account of which extra- 
dition is requested, shall be con- 
fiscated and delivered with his 
person if the competent author- 
ity so orders. Nevertheless the 
rights of third parties concerning 
these articles shall be respected, 



62 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



no se haya resiielto la cuestion de 
propiedad. 

Articulo XIII. 

En todos los casos en que pro- 
ceda la detencion del refugiado, 
se le hara saber su causa en el 
termino de veinte y cuatro horas, 
y que podra, dentro de tres dias 
perentorios, contados desde el 
siguiente al de la notificacion, 
oponerse a la extradicion, alegan- 
do: 

1. Que no es la persona recla- 
mada ; 

2. Los defectos sustanciales de 
que adolezcan los documentos pr'e- 
sentados ; y 

3. La improcedencia del pedi- 
mento de extradicion. 

Articulo XIV. 

En los casos -en que sea nece- 
saria la comprobacion de los 
hechos alegados, se abrira el inci- 
dente a pruebas, observandose en 
sus terminos las prescripciones de 
la ley procesal de la Repiiblica 
requerida. Producida la prueba, 
el incidente sera resuelto sin mas 
tramite, en el termino de diez 
dias, declarando si hay 6 no lugar 
a la extradicion. Contra dicha 
providencia se daran, dentro de 
los tres dias siguientes a su noti- 
ficacion, los recursos legales del 
pais del asilo. 



Articulo XV. 

La presente Convencion empe- 
zara a regir un mes despues de la 
ultima ratificacion, y permane- 
cera en vigor hasta un ano 
despues de que el deseo de ponerle 
termino haya sido notificado, en 
debida forma, por uno de los 
Gobiernos a los otros. En tal 



and delivery thereof shall not be 
made until the question of owner- 
ship has been determined. 

Article XIII. 

In all cases of detention the fu- 
gitive shall be acqiiainted Avithin 
the term of twenty-four hours 
with the cause thereof, and noti- 
fied that he may, within not to 
exceed three days counted from 
the one following that of the no- 
tification, oppose extradition, by 
alleging: 

1. That he is not the person 
claimed ; 

2. Substantial defects in the 
documents presented; and 

3. The inadmissibility of the 
request of extradition. 

Article XIV. 

In cases where it is necessary 
to prove the facts alleged, evi- 
dence shall be taken, in full ob- 
servance of the provisions of the 
law of procedure of the Republic 
of which extradition is requested. 
The evidence having been pro- 
duced, the matter shall be decided 
without further steps, within the 
period of ten days, and it shall 
be declared whether or not the 
extradition shall be granted. 
Against such a decision, and with- 
in three days following notifica- 
tion thereof, the legal remedies of 
the country of asylum may be in- 
voked. 

Article XV. 

The present convention shall 
take effect one month after the 
last ratification, and shall con- 
tinue in effect until one year after 
notification of a desire to termi- 
nate it shall have been given in 
due form by one of the Govern- 
ments to the others. In such case 



CEXTE.AX A^IEKICAX PEACE COXEEREXCE. 



63 



caso. continuara rigente entre los 
demas que no la hubieren de- 
nunciado. 

AETicrxo XVI. 

Cada Gobierno debera dar 
aviso a los demas de la ratifica- 
cion legislativa de esta Conren- 
cion dentro de diez dias a mas 
tardar de baberse rerificado. Ese 
aviso por notas se tendra como 
canje, sin necesidad de formali- 
dad especial. 

Firmada en la ciudad de "Wash- 
ington a los veinte dlas de Di- 
ciembre de mil novecientos siete. 



it shall continue in force between 
the others who have not re- 
nounced it. 

Akticue XVI. 

Each government shall give no- 
tice to the others of the legislative 
ratification of this convention 
V, ithin ten days at the latest after 
it has taken place. This advice, 
by notes. shaU be considered as 
an exchange of ratification with- 
out the necessity of any special 
formality. 

Signed at the city of "Washing- 
ton on the twentieth of Decem- 
ber, one thousand nine hundred 
and seven. 



Luis Axdebsox 
J. B. Calvo 

AnTOXIO BaTEES jATTEEGn: 

Lns Toledo Hereaete 
Victor SA^'CHEZ O. 

POLICAEPO Box ELLA 
A^iTGEL UgaETE 

E. CoNSTANTrS'O FlALLOS 

Jose !\Ladriz 
Lns F. Core A 
Salvador Gallegos 
Salvador Eodriguez G. 

F. jVIejia 



[Inclosure No.-lO.] 



CONVENCION PARA EL ESTABLECI- 
MIENTO DE UNA OFICINA INTER- 
NACIONAL CENTROAMERICANA. 

Los Gobiemos de las Eepiibli- 
cas de Costa Rica. Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua y el Salva- 
dor, deseando fomentar los 
intereses comunes de Centro 
America, han convenido en fun- 
dar una Oficina Internacional 
que se encargue de la vigilancia 
y cuidado de tales intereses, y, 
para realizar tan importante ob- 
jeto, han tenido a bien celebrar 
una Convencion especial, y al 
efecto ban nombrado Delegados : 

Costa Rica: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Licenciado Don Luis 
Anderson y Don Joaquin B. 
Calvo ; 

Guatemala : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Senores Licenciado Don An- 
tonio Batres Jauregui, Doctor 
Don Luis Toledo Herrarte y Don 
Victor Sanchez Ocaiia; 

HoNDUEAS : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Senores Doctor Don Poli- 
carpo Bonilla, Doctor Don Angel 
Ugarte y Don E. Constantino 
Fiallos ; 

Nicaragua: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctores Don Jose 
Madriz y Don Luis F. Corea; y 

EL Salvador : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Gallegos, Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Rodriguez Gonzales y Don 
Federico Mejia. 

En virtud de la invitacion 
hecha conf orme al Articulo II del 
Protocolo firmado en Washing- 
ton el IT de Setiembre de 1907 
por los Representantes Plenipo- 
tenciarios de las cinco Repiiblicas 
64 



CONVENTION FOR THE ESTABLISH- 
MENT OF AN INTERNATIONAL 
CENTRAL AMERICAN BUREAU. 

The Governments of the Re- 
publics of Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Sal- 
vador being desirous to develop 
the interests common to Central 
America, have agreed to establish 
an International Bureau that 
shall take charge of the supervi- 
sion and care of such interests, 
and, in order to attain so impor- 
tant an end, have seen fit to con- 
clude a special Convention, and 
for that purpose have named as 
Delegates : 

Costa Rica. — Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Luis Anderson 
and Don Joaquin B. Calvo; 

Guatemala. — Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Antonio Batres 
Jauregui, Doctor Don Luis To- 
ledo Herrarte, and Don Victor 
Sanchez Ocana; 

Honduras. — Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Policarpo Bonilla, 
Doctor Don Angel IJgarte, and 
Don E, Constantino Fiallos; 

Nicaragua. — Their Excellen- 
cies Doctors Don Jose Madriz 
and Don Luis F. Corea ; and 

Salvador. — Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Salvador Gallegos, 
Doctor Don Salvador Rodriguez 
Gonzalez, and Don Federico 
Mejia. 

^j virtue of the invitation sent 
in accordance with Article II of 
the Protocol signed at Washing- 
ton on September 17, 1907, by the 
Plenipotentiary Representatives 
of the five Central American Re- 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



65 



Centroamericanas, estiivieron pre- 
sentes en todas las delibera- 
ciones los Excelentisimos Senores 
Eepresentante del Gobierno de los 
Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Em- 
bajador Don Enrique C. Creel, j 
Eepresentante del Gobierno de 
los Estados Unidos de America, 
Mr. William I. Buchanan. 

Los Delegados, reunidos en la 
Conferencia de Paz Centro- 
americana en Washington, des- 
pues de haberse comunicado sus 
respectivos plenos poderes, que 
encontraron en buena forma, han 
convenido en Uevar a efecto el 
proposito indicado de la manera 
siguiente : 

ARTICUIiO I. 

Se reconocen como intereses 
Centroamericanos a los cuales 
debe dedicarse preferente aten- 
cion, los siguientes : 

1. Concurrir con todos sus 
esfuerzos a la reorganizacion 
pacifica de la Patria Centro- 
americana ; 

2. Imprimir en la ensenanza 
popular un caracter esencialmente 
Centroamericano, en sentido 
unif orme, haciendola. lo mas am- 
plia, practica y completa que sea 
posible, y de acuerdo con la ten- 
dencia pedagogica moderna : 

3. El desarroUo del comercio 
Centroamericano y de cuanto 
tienda a hacerlo mas activo y 
provechoso, lo mismo que a 
extenderlo en sus relaciones con 
las demas naciones ; 

4. El incremento de la agri- 
cultura y de las industrias que 
puedan desarroUarse con pro- 
vecho en sus diversas secciones ; 

5. La uniformidad de la legis- 
lacion civil, comercial y penal, 
clebiendo reconocer, como princi- 
pal fundamento, la inviolabilidad 
de la vida, el respeto a la propie- 
dad y la consagracion mas abso- 
luta de los derechos de la persona- 
lidad humana; la del sistema de 

37200—08 5 



publics, their excellencies, the 
Representative of the Govern- 
ment of the United Mexican 
States, Ambassador Don Enrique 
C^ Creel, and the Representative 
of the Government of the United 
States of America, Mr. William 
I. Buchanan, were present at all 
the deliberations. 

The Delegates, assembled in the 
Central American Peace Confer- 
ence at AYashington, after having 
communicated to one another their 
respective full powers, which they 
found to be in due form, have 
agreed to carry out the said pur- 
pose in the following manner : 

Article I. 

The following Central Ameri- 
can interests are recognized as 
being those to which special 
attention should be paid: 

1. To combine every effort to- 
ward the peaceful reorganization 
of their mother country, Central 
America. 

2. To impress upon public edu- 
cation an essentially Central 
American character, in a uniform 
sense, making it as broad, practi- 
cal, and complete as possible, in 
accordance with the modern 
pedagogical tendency. 

3. The development of Central 
•American Commerce and of all 
that may tend to make it more 
active and profitable, and its ex- 
pansion with other nations. 

4. The advancement of agricul- 
ture and industries that can be 
developed to advantage in its dif- 
ferent sections. 

5. The uniformity of civil, 
commercial, and criminal legisla- 
tion, recognizing as a fundamen- 
tal principle the inviolability of 
life, respect for property, and the 
most absolute sacredness of the 
personal rights of man; uni- 
formity in the system of custom- 



66 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



aduanas; la del sistema moneta- 
rio, de iiiodo que asegiire un tipo 
de cainbio fijo; la sanidad general 
J especialmente la de los piiertos 
Centroaiiiericanos; el afianza- 
miento del eredito de Centre 
America; la uniformidad del sis- 
tema de pesas y medidas, y la 
constitucion de la propiedad raiz 
de tal manera firme e indiscutible 
que piieda servir de base solida 
al eredito y permitir el estable- 
cimiento de bancos hipotecarios. 



Articulo II. 

Para los fines indicados ante- 
riormente, los Gobiernos'signata- 
rios se comprometen a establecer 
una Oficina Internacional Centro- 
americana, formada por un dele- 
gado de cada una de ellas. 



houses; in the monetary sj^stem, 
in such manner as to secure a 
fixed rate of exchange; general 
sanitation, and especially that of 
the Central American ports; con- 
fidence in the Central i^merican 
credit ; uniformit}^ in the system 
of weights and measures ; the defi- 
nition of what constitutes real 
property, in such a firm and un- 
questionable manner as will serve 
as a solid foundation for credit 
and permit the establishment of 
mortgage banks. 

Article II. 

For the purposes hereinbefore 
mentioned the signatory Govern- 
ments bind themselves to estab- 
lish an International Central 
American Bureau, composed of 
one delegate from each one of 
them. 



Articulo III. 

La Presidencia de la Oficina 
debera ejercerse alternativamente 
entre los miembers que la com- 
pongan, siguiendose al efecto el 
orden alfabetico de los Estados 
contratantes. 

Articulo IV. 

Las funciones de la Oficina 
seran todas aquellas que se con- 
sideren necesarias y convenientes 
para la realizacion de los intereses 
que se le encomiendan por el pre- 
sente convenio; y, al efecto, ella 
misma debera detallarlas en los 
reglamentos que dicte, pudiendo 
tomar todas las disposiciones de 
orden interior que conduzcan a 
Uenar debidamente la mision de 
mantener y desarrollar los inte- 
reses Centroamericanos que se 
ponen bajo su cuidado y vigilan- 
cia. 

Para obtener este fin, los Go- 
biernos contratantes se compro- 
meten a prestar a la Oficina todo 



Article III. 

The Presidency of the Bureau 
shall be exercised alternatively by 
the members that compose it. the 
alphabetical order of the con- 
tracting States being followed for 
that purpose. 

Article IV. 

The functions of the Bureau 
shall be all those considered nec- 
essary and expedient to achieve 
the objects placed in its care 
by the present agreement, and 
to that end the office shall 
enumerate them in the rules that 
it may establish, being empowered 
to make all provisions of internal 
regulation that may be conducive 
to the proper fulfillment of the 
mission of maintaining and de- 
veloping the Central American 
interests that may be placed un- 
der its care and supervision. 

In order to attain this end the 
contracting governments bind 
themselves to lend to the Bureau 



CEXTKAL AMEEICAX PEACE COXFEKEXCE. 



67 



el apoyo r proteccion necesarios 
para el buen desempeno de su 
objeto. 

Aeticulo V. 

La Oficiiia debera dirigir cada 
seis meses. a cada uno de los 

Gobiernos signatarios, un informe 
detallado de las labores realizadas 
en el semestre trascurrido. 

Aktictjlo YI. 

La Oficina residira en la ciiidad 
de Guatemala y se procurara ins- 
talarla lo mas tarde el dia 15 de 
Setiembre del ano entrante de 
1908. 

Aettculo VII. 

Los agentes diplomaticos y con- 
sulares de los Gobiernos contra- 
tantes deberan prestar a la Ofi- 
cina todo el concurso que ella les 
pida, suministrandole cuantos da- 
tos, informes y noticias necesite y 
debiendo cumplir las comisiones 
y encargos que tenga a bien en- 
comendarles. 

Abticulo VIII. 

Los gastos que ocasione el man- 
tenimiento de la Oficina seran 
pagados por partes iguales por los 
Estados signatarios. 

Articiilg IX. 

La Oficina debera tener im 6r- 
gano de publicidad para sus tra- 
bajos y procurara mantener rela- 
ciones con los demas centros de 
indole analoga, particularmente 
con la Oficina Internacional de 
las Repiiblicas Americanas esta- 
blecida en Washington. 

Articuix) X. 

La Oficina sera organo de inte- 
ligencia entre los paises signata- 



all the support and protection 
necessary for the proper fulfill- 
ment of its object. 

Article V. 

The Bureau shall every six 
Dionths send to each of the signa- 
tory Governments a detailed re- 
port of the TTork accomplished in 
the preceding half-year. 

Article VI. 

The Bureau shall be located in 
the city of Guatemala, and effort 
shall be made to install it at the 
latest on September 1.5 of the 
coming year 1908. 

Article VII. 

The diplomatic and consular 
agents of the contracting Govern- 
ments shall lend all the assistance 
that the Bureau may ask of them, 
furnishing it with all the needed 
data, reports, and information 
and shall fulfill the conmiissions 
and requests that it may see fit, to 
entrust to them. 

Article VIII. 

The expenses incident to the 
mamtenance of the Bureau shall 
be paid in equal parts by the 
signatory Powers. 

Article IX. 

The Bureau shall have an organ 
of publicity in connection with 
its work, and shall endeavor to 
maintain intercourse with other 
offices of a like nature, particular- 
ly with the International Bureau 
of the American Kepublics estab- 
lished in "Washington. 

Article X. 

The Bureau shall be a meditim 
of intelligence among the signa- 



68 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



rios, elevara a los Gobiernos res- 
pectivos las comunicaciones, in- 
lormes y memorias que estime 
necesarias para el desarrollo de 
las relaciones e intereses que le 
estan encomendados. 



ton^ countries and shall send the 
respective governments the com- 
nuinications, information, and re- 
ports that it may deem necessary 
for the development of the rela- 
tions and interests with which it 
is entrusted. 



Articulo XI. 



Article XI. 



La presente Convencion durara 
quince ailos, prorrogables a vo- 
luntad de las Altas Partes Con- 
tratantes. 

Firmada en la ciudad de Wash- 
ington, a los veinte dias de Di- 
ciembre de mil novecientos siete. 



The present Convention shall 
remain in force for fifteen years, 
and may be extended at the will 
of the High Contracting Parties. 

Signed at the city of Wash- 
ington on the twentieth day of 
December, one thousand nine hun- 
dred and seven. 



Luis Anderson 

J. B. Calvo 

Antonio Batres Jauregui 

Luis Toledo Herrarte 

Victor Sanchez O. 

Policarpo Bonilla 

Angel Ugarte 

E. Constantino Fiallos 
Jose Madriz 

Luis F. Corea 
Salvador Gallegos 
Salvador Rodriguez G. 

F. Mejia. 



[Inclosure No. 11.] 



CONVENCION PARA EL ESTABLE- 
CIMIENTO DE UN INSTITUTO 
PEDAGOGICO CENTROAMERICANO. 

Los Gobiemos de las Repiibli- 
cas de Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua y el Salva- 
dor, reconociendo como de la 
maj^or importancia y trascenden- 
cia para informar la ensenanza en 
un espiritu le centroamericanis- 
mo y encaminarla uniformemente 
por los derroteros que marca la 
Pedagogia modema, y animados 
del deseo de hacer ef ectivo y prac- 
tico ese reconocimiento, han dis- 
puesto celebrar una Convencion, 
y al efecto han nombrado Delega- 
dos: 

Costa Rica: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Sefiores Licenciado Don Luis 
Anderson y Don Joaquin B. 
Calvo ; 

Guatemala : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Senores Licenciado Don An- 
tonio Batres Jauregui, Doctor 
Don Luis Toledo Herrarte y Don 
Victor Sanchez Ocaiia; 

Honduras: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Sefiores Doctor Don Poli- 
carpo Bonilla, Doctor Don Angel 
Ugarte y Don E. Constantino 
Fiallos : 

Nicaragua: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Sefiores Doctores Don Jose 
Madriz 3^ Don Luis F. Corea ; y 

EL Salvador: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Sefiores Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Gallegos, Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Rodriguez Gonzalez y Don 
Federico Mejia. 

En virtud de la invitacion 
hecha conf orme al Articulo II del 
Protocolo firmado en Washing- 
ton el 17 de Setiembre de 1907 
por los Representantes Plenipo- 



CONVENTION FOR THE ESTABLISH- 
MENT OF A CENTRAL AMERICAN 
PEDAGOGICAL INSTITUTE. 

The Governments of the Re- 
publics of Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Salva- 
dor, recognizing it as of the great- 
est importance and consequence 
to model public instruction on a 
spirit of Central-Americanism 
and to direct it uniformly along 
the lines which modern pedagogy 
establishes, and being animated 
by the desire to make this recog- 
nition effective and practical, 
have decided to conclude a con- 
vention, and to that end have 
named as Delegates : 

Costa Rica: Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Luis Anderson 
and Don Joaquin B. Calvo: 

Guatemala : Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Antonio Batres 
Jauregui, Doctor Don Luis Toledo 
Herrarte, and Don Victor San- 
chez Ocana; 

Honduras: Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Policarpo Bonilla, 
Doctor Don Angel Ugarte, and 
Don E. Constantino Fiallos; 

Nicaragua: Their Excellencies 
Doctors Don Jose Madriz and 
Don Luis F. Corea ; and 

Salvador : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Salvador Gallegos, 
Doctor Don Salvador Rodriguez 
Gonzalez, and Don Federico Me- 
jia. 

By virtue of the invitation sent 
in accordance with Article II of 
the Protocol signed at Washing- 
ton on September 17, 1907, by the 
Plenipotentiary Representatives 



70 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



tenciarios de las cinco Republicas 
Centroamericanas, estuvieron pre- 
sentes en todas las delibera- 
ciones los Excelentisimos Senores 
Representante del Gobierno de los 
Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Em- 
bajador Don Enrique C. Creel, y 
Representante del Gobierno de 
los Estados Unidos de America, 
Mr. William I. Buchanan. 

Los Delegados, reunidos en la 
Conferencia de Paz Centroame- 
ricana en Washington, despues de 
haberse comunicado sus respecti- 
vos plenos poderes, que encon- 
traron en buena forma, han con- 
venido en llevar a efecto el pro- 
posito indicado, de la manera 
siguiente : 

Articulo I. 

Las Republicas de Costa Eica, 
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua 
y el Salvador, animadas del deseo 
de establecer un servicio de edu- 
cacion comun, esencialmente ho- 
mogeneo y que propenda a la uni- 
ficacion moral e intelectual de 
estos paises hermanos, han con- 
venido en fundar, a expensas y en 
provecho de todas, un Instituto 
Pedagogico, con seccion de hom- 
bres y mujeres, para la educa- 
cion profesional del magisterio. 
Costa Rica sera el asiento del es- 
tablecimiento. 

Ajrticulo II. 

Es entendido que, en punto a 
personal docente, edificios, mobi- 
liario y material cientifico, el Ins- 
tituto Pedagogico estara a la al- 
tura de los mejores de su clase. 



Articulo III. 

La instalacion, organizacion y 
administracion economica, asi 
como el control general del esta- 
blecimiento, corresponden al Go- 
bierno de Costa Rica; pero 



of the five Central American Re- 
publics, their excellencies, the 
Representative of the Govern- 
ment of the United Mexican 
States, Ambassador Don Enrique 
C. Creel, and the Representative 
of the Government of the United 
States of America, Mr. William 
I. Buchanan, were present at all 
the deliberations. 

The Delegates, assembled in the 
Central American Peace Confer- 
ence at Washington, after having 
communicated to one another 
their respective full powers, 
which they found to be in due 
form, have agreed to carry out 
the said purpose in the following 



manner : 



Article I. 



The Republics of Costa Rica, 
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua 
and Salvador, animated by the 
desire of establishing a common, 
essentially homogeneous sj'^stem 
of education, which shall tend 
toward the moral and intellectual 
unification of these sister coun- 
tries, have agreed to found, at the 
expense and to the advantage of 
all, a Pedagogical Institute, with 
a division for men and for wom- 
en, for the professional education 
of teachers. Costa Rica shall be 
the seat of the institute. 

Article IL 

It is understood that with re- 
gard to its staff of teachers, build- 
ings, furnishings, and scientific 
apparatus the Pedagogical Insti- 
tute shall be of as high a grade 
as the best institutes of its class. 

Article III. 

The installation, organization, 
and economical administration, 
as also the general control of the 
establishment, shall pertain to the 
Government of Costa Rica; but 



CEXTEAI. .OIERICA25^ PEACE COIJfFEEENCE. 



71 



los otros Gobiemos interesados 
IDodrdn. cuando lo estimen con- 
veniente. nombrar un delegado al 
consejo directivo del mismo. El 
Gobierno de Costa Eica comiini- 
cara anuabneiite a los otros Go- 
biemos la marcha y estado del 
establecimiento. 



Aeticui-o IV. 

Cada Republica tiene derecho 
a mantener basta cien normalistas 
en el Instituto Pedagogic© — cin- 
ciienta de cada sexo — pero no de- 
jara de euviar. por lo menos. 
reinte de cada sexo. 



tbe otber interested Governments 
sball bare tbe rigbt. Tvben tbey 
consider it expedient, to name a 
representative on tbe executive 
board of tbe same. Tbe Govern- 
ment of Costa Eica sball com- 
mimicate annually to tbe otber 
Governments tbe progress and 
condition of tbe establisbment. 

Aeticlz IV. 

Eacb EepubUc bas tbe rigbt to 
maintain as many as one bundred 
students in tbe Pedagogical Insti- 
tute, fifty of eacb sex. but sball 
not send less tban tvrenty of eacb 
sex. 



Akticiilo V. 

Calcidado el presupuesto de 
gastos extraordinarios de instala- 
cion. en los cuales entran los edi- 
ficios. el mobiliario y el material 
cientifico, la traida del personal 
docente, etc.. se cominiicara a los 
Gobiernos interesados. cada imo 
de los cuales pondra a la disposi- 
cion del de Costa Eica la cuota 
que le corresponda como contribu- 
cion. 

En vista del progresivo en- 
sancbe y desarroUo del Instituto 
Pedagogico Centroamericano. el 
Gobiemo de Costa Eica queda 
facultado para construir edlficos 
especiales. situados fuera de los 
gi'andes centros de jDoblacion. en 
lugares sanos. frescos y propicios 
para el trabajo intelectual. 

Aetictxo Y1. 

En cuanto a los gastos ordina- 
ries de sueldos. internado. adnii- 
nistracion. etc.. seran abonados a 
Costa Eica al coniienzo de cada 
ejercicio lectivo. 

Abtictt.':! Yll. 

La Liga Pedagogica aqui con- 
venida — primer paso en el sentido 



Akticle V. 

Tbe estimate of extraordinary 
expenses of installation, in wbicb 
sball be included tbe buildings, 
tbe fumisbings. tbe scientific 
equipment, tbe transportation of 
tbe j)rofessorial staff, etc.. baving 
been made, it sball be connnuni- 
cated to tbe Goverimients inter- 
ested, eacb one of wbicb sball 
place its respective quota at tbe 
disposal of tbe Government of 
Costa Eica. 

In view of tbe progressive ex- 
pansion and develoiDment of tbe 
Central American Pedagogical 
Institute, tbe Government of 
Costa Eica is autborized to con- 
struct special buildings, removed 
from tbe great centers of popula- 
tion, in cool, bealtby places ap- 
propriate for intellectual work. 

AUTICUE VI. 

TTitb regard to tbe ordinary 
expenses of salaries, board, ad- 
ministration, etc.. tbey sball be 
paid to Costa Eica at tbe begin- 
ning of eacb scbool year. 

Abticxx VII. 

Tbe Pedagogical League bere- 
by agreed to — tbe first step to- 



72 



CENTRAL AMERICA:^' PEACE CONFERENCE. 



de la unificacion de los sistemas 
de enseiianza — durara quince 
anos, prorrogables a voluntad de 
las Altas Partes Contratantes. 



ward the unification of the sys- 
tems of education — shall continue 
in existence fifteen years, and may 
be extended at the will of the 
Hiffh Contractinp- Parties. 



Articulo VIII. 

Esta Convencion sera ratificada 
por notas cambiadas entre los 
Gobiernos interesados; y una vez 
ratificada, se pondra en vigor, sin 
perdida de tiempo. 

Firmada en la ciudad de Wash- 
ington, a los viente dias de Di- 
ciembre de mil novecientos siete. 



Article VIII. 

This Convention shall be rati- 
fied by means of notes exchanged 
among the Governments inter- 
ested ; and once ratified, it shall 
take effect without loss of time. 

Signed at the city of Washing- 
ton on the twentieth day of De- 
cember, one thousand nine hun- 
dred and seven. 



Luis Anderson 

J. B. Calvo 

Antonio Batres Jauregui 

Luis Toledo Herrarte 

Victor Sanchez O. 

policarpo bonilla 

Angel Ugarte 

E. Constantino Fiallos 
Jose Madriz 

Luis F. Corea 
Salvador Gallegos 
Salvador Rodriguez G. 

F. Mejia. 



[Inclosure No. 12.] 



CONVENCION SOBRE FUTURAS CON- 
FERENCIAS CENTROAMERICANAS. 



Los Gobiernos de las Repiibli- 
cas de Costa Eica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Xicaragua, y el Salva- 
dor, deseando promover la unifi- 
cacion j armonia de sus intereses, 
como uno de los medios mas 
eficaces para preparar la fusion 
de los pueblos centroamericanos 
en una sola nacionalidad, han 
convenido en celebrar una Con- 
vencion para el nombramiento de 
Comisiones j jjara la reunion de 
Conferencias Centroamericanas 
que acuerden las medidas mas 
oportunas j convenientes a fin de 
uniformar sus intereses econo- 
micos Y fiscales; y al efecto han 
nombrado Delegados: 

Costa Rka: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Sefiores Licenciado Don Luis 
Anderson y Don Joaquin B. 
Calvo ; 

Guatemala : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Licenciado Don An- 
tonio Batres Jiiuregui, Doctor 
Don Luis Toledo Herrarte v Don 
Victor Siinchez Ocana ; 

Honduras: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Sefiores Doctor Don Poli- 
carpo Bonilla, Doctor Don Angel 
Ugarte y Don E. Constantino 
Fiallos; ' 

Nicaragua: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctores Don Jose 
Madriz y Don Luis F. Corea ; y 

EL Salvador : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Gallegos, Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Rodriguez Gonzalez y Don 
Federico Mejia. 



CONVENTION CONCERNING FUTURE 
CENTRAL AMERICAN CONFER- 
ENCES. 

The Governments of the Re- 
publics of Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Sal- 
vador, desiring to promote the 
unification and harmony of their 
interests, as one of the most effica- 
cious means to jjrepare for the 
fusion of the Central American 
peoples into one single national- 
irv, have agreed to conclude a 
Convention for the naming of 
Commissions and for the meeting 
of Central American Conferences, 
^vllich shall agree upon the most 
efficacious and proper means to 
the end of bringing uniformity 
into their economical and fiscal 
interests; and to that end have" 
named as Delegates : 

Costa Rica : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Luis Anderson and 
Don Joaquin B. Calvo ; 

Guatemala : Their Excellen- 
cies Doctor Don Antonio Batres 
Jauregui, Doctor Don Luis To- 
ledo Herrarte, and Don Victor 
Sanchez Ocaiia; 

Honduras : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Policarpo Bonilla, 
Doctor Don Angel Ugarte, and 
Don E. Constantino Fiallos; 

Nicaragua: Their Excellencies 
Doctors Don Jose Madriz and 
Don Luis F. Corea; and 

Salvador : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Salvador Gallegos, 
Doctor Don Salvador Rodriguez 
Gonzalez, and Don Federico 
Mejia. 

73 



74 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



En virtud de la invitacion 
heclia conforme al Articulo II del 
Protocolo firmado en Washington 
el IT de Setiembre de 1907 por 
los Represent antes Plenipoten- 
ciarios de las cinco Republicas 
Centroamericanas, estuvieron pre- 
sentes en todas las delibera- 
ciones los Excelentisimos Senores 
Re]3resentante del Gobierno de los 
Estados Unidos Mexicanos, Em- 
bajador Don Enrique C. Creel, y 
Representante del Gobierno de los 
Estados Unidos de America, Mr. 
William I. Buchanan. 

Los Delegados, reunidos en la 
Conferencia de Paz Centroameri- 
cana en Washington, despiies de 
haberse comimicado sus respecti- 
vos plenos poderes, que encon- 
traron en buena forma, han con- 
venido en llevar a efecto el pro- 
posito- indicado de la manera 
siguiente : 

Articulo I. 

Cada uno de los Gobiernos con- 
tratantes se compromete a nom- 
brar dentro de un mes, contado de 
la ultima ratificacion del pre- 
sente Convenio, una 6 mas Comi- 
siones que se ocupen de preferen- 
cia en el estudio de todo lo con- 
cerniente al sistema monetario de 
su respectivo pais, especialmente 
en relacion con el de los otros Es- 
tados, y con el intercambio entre 
ellos; y, ademas, en el estudio de 
todo lo relativo a los sistemas de 
aduanas, de pesas y medidas y de 
otras materias de orden economico 
y fiscal que se juzgue conveniente 
uniformar en Centro America. 



Articulo II. 

Las Comisiones deberan pre- 
sentar un informe dentro de seis 
meses despues de su nombramien- 



By virtue of the invitation sent 
in accordance with Article II of 
the Protocol signed at Washing- 
ton on September 17, 1907, by 
the Plenipotentiary Representa- 
tives of the five Central American 
Republics, their excellencies, the 
Representative of the Govern- 
ment of the United Mexican 
States, Ambassador Don Enrique 
C. Creel, and the Representative 
of the Government of the United 
States of America, Mr. William 
I. Buchanan, were present at all 
the deliberations. 

The Delegates, assembled in the 
Central American Peace Confer- 
ence at Washington, after having 
communicated to one another 
their respective full powers, 
which they found to be in due 
form, have agreed to carry out 
the said purpose in the following 
manner : 

Article I. 

Each one of the contracting 
Governments obligates itself to 
name within one month, counted 
from the last ratification of this 
agreement, one or more Commis- 
sions, which shall occupy them- 
selves preferably with the study 
of all that concerns the monetary 
system of their respective coun- 
tries, especially in relation to 
those of the other States, and in- 
terchange amongst them; and, 
besides, the study of everything 
relating to the custom-house sys- 
tems, the system of weights and 
measures, and other matters of an 
economic and fiscal nature which 
it m.a,j be deemed expedient to 
make uniform in Central America. 

Article II. 

The Commissions shall present 
a report within six months after 
their appointment, and each Gov- 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFEEENCE. 



75 



to, y cada Gobierno comunicara 
ese informe a los demas, excitan- 
dolos para que procedan a de- 
signar uno 6 mas delegados que 
concurran a una Conferencia Cen- 
troamericana, la cual se inaugu- 
rara el 1 de Enero inmediato, y 
se ocupara en celebrar una Con- 
vencion que tenga por objeto 
acordar las medidas que tiendan 
a realizar los fines a que se refiere 
el Articulo I, dando preferencia 
a lo referente al sistema mone- 
tario de las cinco Republicas, y 
procurando establecer en ellas un 
cambio fijo con relacion al oro. 



Aeticulo III. 

Se continuara celebrando Con- 
ferencias anualmente, que se in- 
stalaran el dia 1 de Enero, para 
tratar de los puntos comprendidos 
en el Articulo I de esta Conven- 
cion que no hayan sido objeto de 
resolucion en la Conferencia an- 
terior ; J de los demas asuntos que 
los Gobiernos tengan a bien some- 
ter a dichas Conferencias. 

Articttlo IV. 

La primera Conferencia se reu- 
nira en la ciudad de Teguci- 
galpa, en la feclia indicada en el 
Articulo II; y al terminar sus 
sesiones, designara el lugar en 
que deba reunirse la proxima Con- 
ferencia, y asi sucesivamente. 

Aetictjlo y. 

La presente Convencion regira 
durante cinco alios; pero si expi- 
rado ese termino ninguno de los 
Gobiernos signatarios la hubiere 
denunciado, continuara en vigen- 
cia hasta seis meses despues de que 
alguna de las Altas Partes Con- 
tratantes haya notificado a las 



ernment shall communicate such 
report to the others, inviting them 
to designate forthwith one or 
more delegates, in order that they 
may attend a Central American 
Conference, which shall be inau- 
gurated on the first of the follow- 
ing January, and shall have for 
its object the conclusion of a Con- 
vention for the purpose of defin- 
ing the means tending to the 
accomplishment of the ends to 
which Article I relates, giving 
preference to what relates to the 
monetary system of the five Re- 
publics and endeavoring to estab- 
lish therein a fixed rate of ex- 
change with regard to gold. 

Aeticle III. 

Conferences shall be held an- 
nually thereafter, which shall 
open on the first day of January, 
in order to treat the questions 
comprised in Article I of this 
Convention which have not been 
settled at the previous Confer- 
ence; and all the other matters 
which the Governments may see 
fit to submit to said Conferences. 

Article IV. 

The first Conference shall meet 
at the city of Tegucigalpa on the 
date indicated in Article II; and 
when its sessions are over it shall 
designate the place in which the 
next Conference shall meet, and 
so on successively. 

Aeticle V. 

The present Convention shall 
remain in force for five years, but 
if at the expiration of that term 
none of the signatory Govern- 
ments shall have denounced it, 
it shall continue in force until six 
months after one of the High 
Contracting Parties shall have 



76 CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFEREXCE, 

otras sii resolucion de separarse de notified the others of its determi- 
ella. nation to withdraw from it. 

Firmada en la ciudad de Wash- Signed at the City of Wash- 
ington a los veinte dias de Di- ington on the twentieth day of 
ciembre de mil novecientos siete. December, one thousand nine hun- 
dred and seven. 

Luis Anderson 

J. B. Calvo 

Antonio Batres Jaueegtji 

Luis Toledo Herrarte 

Victor Sanchez O. 

policarpo bonilla 

Angel Ugarte 

E. Constantino Fiallos 
Jose Madriz 

Luis F. Corea 
Salvador Gallegos 
Salvador Rodriguez G. 

F. Mejia. 



[Inclosure No. 13.] 
CONVENCION DE COMTJNICACIONES. CONVENTION ON COMMUNICATIONS. 



Los Gobiernos de las Repiibli- 
cas de Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua y el Sal- 
vador, deseando contribuir cada 
una, en la parte que le corres- 
poncla, a la realizacion de la 
grande obra del Ferrocarril Pan- 
americano, y a fin de realizar tan 
importante objeto, ban tenido a 
bien celebrar una Convencion 
especial, y al efecto ban nom- 
brado Delegados : 

Costa E,ica : a los Excelentisi- 
mos SenoresLicenci ado Don Luis 
Anderson y Don Joaquin B. 
Cairo ; 

Guatemala : a los Excelentisi- 
nios Senores Licenciado Don 
Antonio Batres Jauregui, Doctor 
Don Luis Toledo Herrarte y Don 
Victor Sancbez Ocana; 

Honduras: a los Excelentisi- 
mos Senores Doctor Don Poli- 
carpo Bonilla, Doctor Don Angel 
Ugarte y Don E. Constantino 
Fiallos ; 

XicARAGUA : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Senores Doctores Don Jose 
Madriz y Don Luis F. Corea ; y 

EL Salvador : a los Excelentisi- 
mos Seiiores Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Gallegos, Doctor Don Salva- 
dor Rodriguez Gonzalez y Don 
Federico Mejia. 

En virtud de la invitacion 
lieclia conforme al Articulo II 
del Protocolo firmado en Wash- 
ington el 17 -de Setiembre de 1907 
por los Eepresentantes Plenipo- 
tenciarios de las cinco Eepiiblicas 
Centroamericanas, estuvieron pre- 
sentes en todas las deliberacio- 
nes los Excelentisimos Seiiores 



The Governments of the Re- 
publics of Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
Honduras, Nicaragua, and Sal- 
vador, each being desirous to 
contribute its share towards the 
realization of the great work of 
the Pan-American Railway, and, 
in order to attain so important an 
end, have seen fit to conclude a 
special Convention, and to that 
end have appointed as Delegates : 

Costa Rica : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Luis Anderson and 
Don Joaquin B. Calvo; 

Guatemala : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Antonio Batres Jau- 
regui, Doctor Don Luis Toledo 
Herrarte, and Don Victor San- 
chez Ocaiia; 

Honduras: Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Policarpo Bonilla, 
Doctor Don Angel Ugarte, and 
Don E. Constantino Fiallos; 

Nicaragua : Their Excellencies 
Doctors Don Jose Madriz and 
Don Luis F. Corea; and 

Salvador : Their Excellencies 
Doctor Don Salvador Gallegos, 
Doctor Don Salvador Rodriguez 
Gonzalez, and Don Federico 
Mejia. 

By virtue of the invitation sent 
in accordance with Article II of 
the Protocol signed at Washing- 
ton on September 17, 1907, by 
the Plenipotentiary Represent- 
atives of the five Central Ameri- 
can Republics, their excellencies, 
the Representative of the Govern- 
ment of the United Mexican 

77 



78 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



Representante del Gobierno de 
los Estados Unidos Mexican os, 
Embajador Don Enrique C. Creel, 
y Representante del Gobierno de 
los Estados Unidos de America, 
Mr. William I. Buchanan. 

Los Delegados, reunidos en la 
Conferencia de Paz Centro- 
anit'ricana en Washington, des- 
pues de haberse comunicado sus 
respectivos plenos poderes, que 
encontraron en buena forma, han 
convenido en llevar a efecto el 
proposito indicado de la manera 
siguiente : 

Artictjlo I. 

Cada Gobierno nombrara una 
Comision para que estudie y 
proponga los medios mas a pro- 
posito para llevar a efecto la parte 
de la referida obra dentro de su 
proprio territorio. 

Artigulo II. 

Las Comisiones, aprovechando 
los estudios que existen respecto 
del Ferrocarril Panamericano, y 
haciendo los mas que estimen 
necesarios, presentaran a sus res- 
pectivos Gobiernos informes de- 
tallados sobre el niimero de millas 
que haya de construirse, las po- 
bla clones y terrenos que deba 
atravesar la linea, los ramales 
que convenga unir a la linea 
principal, el costo de las diferen- 
tes secciones y todos los puntos 
que estime convenientes para el 
fin propuesto. 



States, Ambassador Don Enrique 
C. Creel, and the Representative 
of the Government of the United 
States of America. Mr. William 
I. Buchanan, were present at all 
the deliberations. 

The Delegates assembled in the 
Central American Peace Confer- 
ence at Washington, after having 
communicated to one another their 
respective full powers, which they 
found to be in due form, have 
agreed to carry out the said pur- 
pose in the following manner. 



Article I. 

Each Government shall appoint 
a commission, in order that it 
may study and propose the most 
suitable measures to carry out the 
portion of said work within its 
own territory. 

Article II. 

The commissions, availing 
themselves of the surveys already 
existing of the Pan American 
Railway, and making all others 
that they may deem necessary, 
shall submit to their respective 
Governments detailed reports con- 
cerning the number of miles 
which need to be constructed, the 
towns and lands which the 
line should cross, the branches 
which it is advisable to connect 
to the principal line, the cost of 
the different sections, and all the 
measures that it may deem expe- 
dient for the end in view. 



Articulo III. 

Las mismas Comisiones, al in- 
dicar los medios mas apropiados 
para la construccion de los tra- 
yectos respectivos, sugeriran, en 
cuanto sea posible, todo lo con- 
veniente a concesiones de terrenos, 
privilegios, tarifas, garantias y 



Article III. 

The same commissions, when 
they point out the most suitable 
measures for the construction of 
the respective sections, shall 
suggest, as far as possible, what 
ought to be done concerning con- 
cessions of lands, privileges, 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 



79 



demas elementos usuales en estos 
casos. 

Articulo TV. 

Una vez aprobados por los 
Gobiernos diclios informes, se 
remitiran a la Oficina Interna- 
cional de las Repiiblicas Ameri- 
canas en Washington, para que 
en ella se abra un eoncurso a fin 
de obtener las niejores condiciones 
al celebrar las contratas corres- 
pondientes para la construccion 
de las lineas que se consideren 
necesarias. 

Articulo Y. 

La Oficina Internacional, de 
acuerdo con los Representantes 
Diplomaticos de las cinco Repii- 
blicas de Centro America, abrira 
dicho eoncurso, dirigiendo sus 
esfuerzos en primer termino a la 
organizacion de una 6 mas com- 
paiiias que construyan los trayec- 
tos indicados, y en caso contrario, 
a unificar y poner de acuerdo a 
las diferentes compaiiias . que 
liayan obtenido ii obtengan con- 
cesiones, 6 celebrado contratas 
directamente con los Gobiernos. 

Articulo VI. 

Los Gobiernos Contratantes se 
pondran de acuerdo con el Go- 
bierno de los Estados Unidos 
Mexicanos y con el Gobierno de 
Panama, para todo lo que se re- 
fiera al transito de mercaderias y 
pasajeros de f renter a a frontera. 



Articulo VII. 

Las Comisiones seran nombra- 
das en cuanto se apruebe la pre- 
sente Convencion, y el informe se 
presentara en un termino que no 
exceda de seis meses despues de 
dicho nombramiento. 



tariffs, guarantees, and other 
points usual in such cases. 

Article IV. 

After approval b}^ the Govern- 
ments, said reports shall be sent 
to the International Bureau of the 
American Republics at Washing- 
ton, so that bids may be solicited, 
in order to obtain the best condi- 
tions in letting the corresponding 
contracts for the construction of 
the lines which are considered 
necessary. 



Article V. 

The said International Bureau, 
together with the Diplomatic Rep- 
resentatives of the five Republics 
of Central America, shall open 
said competition, endeavoring in 
the first place to secure the or- 
ganization of one or more com- 
panies which will construct the 
sections indicated, and if that be 
impossible to consolidate and 
bring to an agreement the differ- 
ent companies that may hold or 
obtain concessions or contracts di- 
rectly with the Governments. 

Article VI. 

The contracting governments 
shall come to an agreement with 
the Government of the United 
Mexican States and with the 
Government of Panama concern- 
ing everything that may refer to 
the transit of merchandise and 
passengers from border to border. 

Article VII. 

The commissions shall be ap- 
pointed subject to the approval of 
the present Convention, and the 
report shall be presented within a 
term of not to exceed six months 
after said appointment. 



80 



CENTBAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFEEENCE. 



Articulo VIII. 

La presente Convencion no sera 
obstaculo para que los Gobiernos 
celebren directamente las con- 
tratas referentes a la construccion 
de ferrocarriles en sus respectivos 
paises; pero quedan obligados ;i 
remitir dichas contratas a la Ofi- 
cina Internacional, para la unili- 
cacion 6 acnerdo a que se refiere 
el Articulo V. 



Aeticle VIII. 

The present convention shall 
not preclude the Governments 
from directly making contracts 
referring to the construction of 
railroads in their respective coun- 
tries; but they must send said 
contracts to the International Bu- 
reau, in view of the consolidation 
or agreement to which Article V 
refers. 



Articulo IX. 

Los Gobiernos Contratantes se 
obligan ademas celebrar los arre- 
glos convenientes para establecer 
y mejorar los servicios de comu- 
nicaciones entre las distintas Ee- 
piiblicas, tales como lineas de 
vapores, cables submarinos, tele- 
grafos con 6 sin hilos, telefonos, 
y cuanto pueda conducir a estre- 
char mas sus mutuas relaciones. 

Los convenios actuales para el 
servicio cablegrafico, telegrafico 
y telefonico continuaran en vi- 
gencia mientras los Gobiernos in- 
teresados lo crean conveniente. 

Firmada en la ciudad de Wash- 
ington a los Veinte dias de Di- 
ciembre de mil novecientos siete. 



Article IX. 

The contracting governments, 
moreover, pledge themselves to 
make the necessary arrangements 
to establish and improve the 
means of communication between 
the several Republics, such as 
lines of steamships, submarine 
cables, telegraph lines, wireless 
stations, telephones, and every- 
thing that may tend to cement 
their mutual relations. 

The existing agreements con- 
cerning cable, telegraph, and tele- 
phone services, shall continue in 
force so long as the interested 
Governments deem it convenient. 

Signed at the city of Washing- 
ton on the twentieth day of De- 
cember, one thousand nine hun- 
dred and seven. 



Luis Anderson 

J. B. Calvo 

Antonio JBatres Jauregui 

Luis Toledo Herrarte 

Victor Sanchez O. 

policarpo bonilla 

Angel Ugarte 

E. Constantino Fiallos 
JosE Madriz 

Luis F. Corea 
Salvador Gallegos 
Salvador Eodriguez G. 

F. Mejia. 



■ [Inclosiire No. 13a.] 
NOTES ON A RAILWAY THROUGH CENTRAL AMERICA. 

[Presented by the delegation of Costa Rica to the Central American Peace Conference.] 

Gentlemen: We do not think it necessary to state that no matter what reso- 
lutions the Conference may adopt in regard to the principal subjects embraced 
within the scope of the most important mission which our several Governments 
have intrusted to us, one of the main points to be taken into consideration 
is that of recommending the improvement of both the laud and sea communi- 
cations among die Central American Republics themselves and between these 
and their neighboring countries and any other States Avhose relations may 
foster the development of commerce and other advantages to be derived from 
the general progress of our respective countries. 

The importance of these means of communication, of a railway which will 
unite all our countries and may contribute through its powerful agency to 
efface "boundary lines and bring our peoples closer and closer together, Is not 
only a want which we all feel, bitt is a work that can be realized without an 
effort beyond the means which we are fortunate to have within our reach. 

The minister of Costa Rica in Washington has always been of this opinion, 
and an earnest supporter of the Pan-American Railway project. Upon his re- 
turn from Mexico, after the Second International Conference, for so many 
reasons worthy of our recollection, he published a few remarks and data, par- 
ticularly referring to the share of our countries in that great enterprise, and it 
was with gratification that we saw that his modest contribution was received 
with marked favor by the American press. 

. Not very long ago, while in search of new data, of a new light which might 
contribute to the realization of the International Railway project between 
Mexico and Panama, where the opening of the Isthmian Canal by the Govern- 
ment of Washington promises to be an event of the near future for the greatest 
benefit of the whole world, the minister had the good fortune to receive from 
Mr. Theodore Paschke, member of the American Society of Civil Engineers, 
New York, the accompanying document, which is far above and beyond anything 
we could ever have written on such an important matter. 

The distinguished engineer, Mr. Paschke, has lived for many years in Central 
America. While in Guatemala he directed part of the work on her railroads 
and now holds a position of great responsibility with the New York subway, 
which shows that he is a most competent man, whose opinions deserve the 
greatest consideration and prestige. 

We must not omit to state that Mr. Paschke has dedicated the work to which 
we refer to the memory of Don Guillermo Nanne, a German by birth, and a 
Costa Rican at heart, not only because of his love for that country, but be- 
cause his distinguished family was born there. Mr. Nanne is one of those per- 
sons whose pleasant personality is forever connected with the memory of the 
construction of the first railway in Costa Rica and Guatemala. 

Mr. Paschke's work is particularly instructive and will no doubt be an ex- 
cellent contribution to the study of whatever recommendations the Conference 
may decide to make to our respective Governments, and with this end in view, 
we have the honor to respectfully submit this work to our distinguished col- 
leagues in the hope that the data therein contained mighf be of service. 

Luis Anderson. 
J. B. Calvo. 
Washington, D. C, November 20, 1907. 

37200—08 G SI 



82 CENTRAL AMERICAN" PEACE CONFERENCE. 

The International Railway. 
[By J. B. Calvo.] 

When we consider the great influence w^hich the means of communication ex- 
ercise, not only in the development of the natural resources and other fountains 
of national production, but also in the moral and intellectual advancement 
which the widening of the sphere of action affords to man, the great benefits 
that would result to the American Republics from the construction of a con- 
tinental railroad become evident. 

The enterprise is certainly a colossal one, though it does not in reality present 
any insurmountable obstacles, and in order to become an accomplished fact it 
only requires that the project should be taken up with a resolute purpose and 
properly started. 

It is evident that the development of local trafllc alone would pay, in the 
immediate future, the cost of the road, and that the increase of the commercial 
relations between the neighboring countries would be very rapid, promoting in 
this manner the general, political, and social welfare of all the nations of this 
continent, as well as securing a closer union among them, all of which would 
tend to daily increase the value of capital and the profits thereof. 

The progress which Mexico has made in the last few years has naturally 
attracted the attention of the whole world, and the great impulse given to all 
her industries demands, for that prosperous Republic, easy means of communi- 
cation with the contiguous States, where excellent markets are to be found for 
many of her varied products, which competition on the north carries to said 
States in the south, as is the case at present — particularly with regard to cotton 
fabrics and all kinds of leather goods. 

It is a fact that the Central American States are constantly progressing ; and 
while the moral advancement is also evidenced by the peaceful condition which 
they at present enjoy, the development of their manifold and rich sources of 
production increases daily, thus encouraging new enterprises, the improvement 
of the existing means of communication, and the construction of other new and 
important ones. 

In the far south, the Argentine Republic rises up as an agricultural rival of 
the United States of America, while Chile initiates a competition on the Pacific 
with the steamship companies of the great American nation. 

These practical examples of the advancement of the Latin -American countries 
indicate the activity and progress which they have already reached, and show 
clearly the great importance of the field which they afford to business and 
enterprise. 

Brazil, with her extensive territory; Uriiguay, with her. favored geographical 
position ; Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia, by the exuberant 
richness of their soil, all enjoy, in an equal degree, the benefits of progress and 
civilization. 

Therefore the construction of a railway through all these countries will find 
abundant elements of support already existing and many others which it will 
of itself create, either owing to the infiuence of the facilities for local traffic or 
as a consequence of rapid communication between the different States. 

At the First International Conference held in Washington in 1889-1890 resolu- 
tions were passed for the purpose of carrying out this great enterprise, and as 
a practical result of the preliminary steps then taken the proper studies of the 
matter were made by several corps of engineers, who presented an exhaustive 
report, which is printed with maps and illustrations in seven large volumes. 

From these studies it appears that the length of a railroad from New York 
to Buenos Aires would be 10,471 miles, and that half of this enormous distance 
is already covered by existing railroad lines. 

Referring especially to the first part of this great continental enterprise, it 
would be an easy task to show that it only requires a slight impulse for its 
realization in all that portion of the hemisphere lying north of Panama. In 
fact, the distance of 2,187 miles from New York to Laredo on the Mexican 
frontier, that of 839 miles from Laredo to the City of Mexico, and that of 343 
miles from the latter city to Oaxaca is covered by railroad lines now in actual 
operation. 

There are at the present time two Mexican railways that approach the 
Guatemala frontier, one of which runs from Pueblo to Oaxaca on the Pacific 
slope, and which would require an extension of 400 miles in order to reach 
said frontier ; and the other which extends from Cordoba, a town situated on 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 83 

the line of the Veracruz Railway on the mountain range that slopes toward the 
Gulf of Mexico. In addition to the lines mentioned there are other railroads 
in course of construction that will connect with the Interoceanic Railroad of 
the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, and, what seems to be of still greater importance 
in this connection, the Mexican Government has granted a concession, carrying 
with it liberal subsidies for the construction, within a period of two years, of a 
railway which, starting from the Isthmus as a branch of the Interoceanic 
Railway referred to, will extend to the boundary line of Guatemala. 

This new development of railways in Mexican territory having been accom- 
plished, the greatest of the difficulties in extending the Intercontinental Railroad 
will have been overcome by connecting the railway lines of the Central Amer- 
ican States, several sections of which can be utilized for the main line. 

It will be sufficient to observe in this connection that of the 1,107 miles that 
a route on the Pacific side will have to cover in Central America from the 
Mexican to the Colombian frontier 'there are now constructed and in operation 
211.3 miles of track, particularly in Salvador and Nicaragua, where the longest 
railroad lines follow in the greater part of their course a direction generally 
parallel to that of the coast. 

In Guatemala there is a railroad extending from the port of Ocos to the 
village of Ayutla near the Mexican frontier, and the lines constructed in this 
and the other Central American Republics aggregate a little less than 1,000 

miles, viz : -.^.. „ 

' Miles. 

Guatemala ^^^ 

Salvador___ ^-'^^ 

Honduras ^^ 

Nicaragua ^ jj^ 

Costa Rica » ^^^ 

But in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Honduras the principal railway lines 
follow a transverse direction, because they run from the interior to the ports. 
Nevertheless, branch lines are being constructed in the three countries men- 
tioned which, ■ within a short time, will not only be able to add considerable 
length to the part of the system already completed, but will also insure in this 
manner the guaranty of success for an Intercontinental Railway by the conse- 
quent increase of traffic that will always result from the greater number of 
their connections. 

Such favorable conditions did not exist in Mexico when the construction of 
the first railway between the United States and that Republic was projected. 
The undertaking was not favored by the public, because it was thought that it 
would not be profitable, and to-day— twenty years having scarcely elapsed— 
there are three railway lines in constant operation, fed by the growing com- 
merce between the two nations. These iron highways, as a natural conse- 
quence, promote the mutual development of interests, and encourage at the 
same time the construction of other railways with which they will connect. 
There is, then, no reason to doubt, in view of these premises, which are palpable 
facts, that the extension of railways to the south will produce equally as good, 
if not better, results to capital, exclusive of the beneficent moral influepce they 
will exert on the future of the nations of this continent. 

The realization of the plan for uniting the two great oceans by a canal 
across the Central American Isthmus between Costa Rica and Nicaragua seems 
near at hand, and if, as it "is reasonable to hope, the execution ot the same is 
speedily decided upon, the northern section of the Intercontinental Railway 
will thereby greatly increase in importance. 

At the Second International Conference, held in Mexico from October, 1901, 
to January, 1902, it was resolved to ratify the resolutions of the first Con- 
ference, held in Washington, and to recommend, among other things, that the 
Government of the United States of America initiate, by means of the diplo- 
matic representatives of the American Republics accredited in Washington, the 

« Since that time considerable progress has been made in the extension of the 
railroad lines in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Salvador. 

The Guatemalan Railway to Puerto Barrios, on the Caribbean Sea, runs so 
near the Salvadorean frontier that very soon the two countries will connect 
their lines, thus aiding in a most substantial way the progress of the Central 
American Railway. 



84 CEISTTKAL AMERICAIsr PEACE CONFERENCE. 

measures most appropriate for the sending, within a year, of couiuiissioners to 
report upon the railways ah-eady completed and the concessions that the re- 
spective governments will grant for the construction of a continental railway. 

At the present time this idea is greatly favored, and it can be expected that 
with a new impulse it will soou become an accomplished fact. 

May it be so for the welfare of the American Eepublics. 

Washington, D. C, AptHl, 1902. 



Our Duty Toward Central America. 

At every recurring family quarrel taking place regularly within relatively 
short periods among our Central American friends and neighbors, the question 
"What is to be done with Central America?" presents itself to the average 
observant, thinking American, and no satisfactory solution of the problem can 
be found in any utterings of the country's press. 

To be sure, a Central American Union or Confederation suggests itself imme- 
diately, in considering the question, as the only rational remedy to be sough,t 
to applj". There is no dispute about the correctness of this — everyone admits 
it, even the Central American, be he a dweller in Guatemala or Costa Rica, in 
Salvador, Nicaragua or Honduras. Yes, it is safe to assume that the highly 
patriotic desire to bring about such a confederation has been the secret driving 
spring of many of the fraternal conflicts whicli have been witnessed for the 
last seventy-five years. 

Why, then, do the many attempts to establish a Central American Union 
prove such abortive failures? 

It is because they have their origin in the ambitious spirit of some particular, 
limited locality for the complete domination of the whole; the other localities 
resent this, and the result is strife and ultimate failure. It is because the 
proper foundation is lacking whereon a Union edifice may be constructed and 
rest secure against the undermining influences of local dissensions. This, then, 
is the first duty of the architect who would undertake to construct a Union out 
of the five separate commonwealths in Central America. 

It is the object of this paper to point out how such a foundation may be con- 
structed on lines which are in keeping with the traditions and avowed policy of 
the United States Government. 

There is nothing new in the proposition; in fact, the ground has already 
been cleared and the outlines of the foundation traced out, and even the exca- 
vation for it started by one of the foremost architects of his time in that line, 
the late Hon. James G. Blaine. 

It is entirely proper, and the present time a fitting opportunity for the con- 
structive activity of our administration at Washington, that this work of lay- 
ing the foundation for a Central American Union be resumed and brought to 
completion. 

There can be no question that the establishment of a " community of in- 
terest " among the five Commonwealths of Central America, something which 
is tangible to the paramount interest of each and every one of them, would 
offer the best foundation possible for a union. 

It is only necessary to point to the project of an Intercontinental Railway 
to see how readily in connection therewith such a " community of interest " 
may be established. A line of railways constructed on the location of the In- 
tercontinental Railway project, extending from Mexico through Central America, 
having for its southern terminal the City of Panama, would establish an all- 
rail communication from the United States to the Panama Canal; certainly a 
desirable line to have, from whatever standpoint it may be contemplated. And 
if this railway line is controlled by one corporation (American), in the manage- 
ment of which each one of the five Central American Commonwealths would 
have an active interest, it would certainly form a naturally broad and firm 
foundation on which the Confederation would surely grow up spontaneously 
and rest securely for all time to come. It would not only establish a commu- 
nity of interest among the Central American Republics, but it would include 
in this community the United States and Mexico as well. 

A practical line and method of procedure for the accomplishment of the ob- 
ject in view is suggested in the several paragraphs following : 

First. A company to be organized under the laws of the United States for 
the purpose of establishing a through rail communication from the southern 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 85 

boundary line of Mexico across tlie countries of Guatemala, El Salvador, Hon- 
duras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and part of Panama to tlie citj- of the same 

Bame. ' . . . , 

Second. The company to recognize and accept as the guidnig spirit m shap- 
ing its policy the general principles recommended by the Committee on Rail- 
way Communications in their report to the International American Confer- 
ence, and accepted .by that body at a meeting held in the city of Washington 
on the 26th day of February, 1S90. 

These general principles, as far as they represent a living force, are for con- 
venience sake here reproduced, as follows : 

" First. That a railroad connecting all or a majority of the nations repre- 
sented in this conference will contribute greatly to the development of cordial 
relations between said nations and the growth of their material interests. 
******* 

" Fifth. That the railroad, in so far as the common interest will permit, should 
connect the principal cities lying in the vicinity of its route. 

" Sixth. That if the general direction of the line can not be altered without 
great inconvenience, for the purpose mentioned in the preceding article, branch 
lines should be surveved to connect those cities with the main line. 

" Seventh. That for the purpose of reducing the cost of the enterprise, existing 
railways should be utilized as far as practicable and compatible with the route 
antir conditions of the Continental Railroad. 

" Eighth. That in case the results of the survey demonstrate the practicability 
and advisability of the railroad, proposals for the construction either of the 
whole line or sections thereof should be solicited. 

" Ninth. That the construction, management, and operation of the line should 
be at the expense of the concessionaires, or of the persons to whom they sublet 
the work, or transfer their rights with all due formalities, the consent of the 
respective governments being first obtained. 

" Tenth. That all materials necessary for the construction and operation of 
the railroad should be exempt from import duties, subject to such regulations 
as may be necessary to prevent the abuse of this privilege. 

" Eleventh. That all personal and real property of the railroad employed in 
its construction and operation should be exempt from all taxation, either 
national, provincial (state), or municipal. 

" Twelfth. That the execution of a work of such magnitude deserves to be 
further encouraged by subsidies, grant of land, or guarantees or a minimum of 
interest. 

******* 

" Fourteenth. That the railroad should be declared forever neutral, for the 
purpose of securing freedom of traffic. 

" Fifteenth. That the approval of the surveys, the terms of the proposals, 
the protection of the concessionaires, the inspection of the road, the legislation 
affecting it, the neutrality of the road, and the free passage of merchandise in 
transit should be (in the event contemplated by article eighth) the subject 
of special agreement between all the nations interested." 

(Articles Nos. 2, 3, 4, 13, and 16 are omitted in the above for the reason that 
the object to which they refer, i. e., the preliminary surveys, has been carried 
out and accomplished, which makes them at this date a dead letter.) 

Third. The company to acquire control, either by lease or purchase, of all 
such existing railway lines, which will become parts of the main trunk line of 
the Intercontinental Railway. 

Fourth. The company to construct such additional new parts of the^ proposed 
railway system as are necessary for the accomplishment of the object in view. 
The surveys heretofore made under the direction of the Intercontinental Rail- 
way Commission to form the basis for future operations in this direction. 

Fifth. The governments of the countries named in paragraph No. 1 to grant 
the necessary and usual concessions to the railway company, embodying the 
free right of way through public lands, for the construction of the new parts 
of the railway through their respective territories. 

Sixth. The said governments to give further material aid for the construc- 
tion of such new lines in the sliape of subsidies and grants of land ; in return 
for which the railway company to issue in favor of each corresponding govern- 
ment a proportionate amount f its Capitol stock, all as may be mutually agreed 
upon. 



86 



CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFEEENCE. 



Seventh. Tlie Government of the United States to assure the prompt carry- 
ing through of the enterprise by guaranteeing a reasonable minimum of interest 
on the capital invested in the enterprise. 

Eighth. Each of the aforesaid governments to have the right to name one 
representative in the board of directors of the railway company. Such repre- 
sentatives to receive a fixed annual salary to enable them to make their residence 
vpithin easy access of the place of meeting. 

Ninth. The principal office of the railway company to be located in the United 
Sates at a point in accordance with the. requirements of its charter. 

A vice-president of the railway company, who shall also be the general mana- 
ger, to have offices and residence at some convenient city in Central America, 
with suboffices at the seat of government of each of the countries traversed by 
the railway. 

Tenth, The initial steps for the enlistment of the cooperation of all the 
countries interested in the realization of the project should be taken jointly by 
the Government of the United States and that of Mexico. 

To show the financial requirements for the realization of the project the fol- 
lowing table, furnishing certain data taken from the reports of the Intercon- 
tinental Railway Commission, is given : 



Intercontinental Railway — Central American Division. 





Miles- 


Cost for 

grading, 

masonry, 

and bridges. 




Location. 


Built, 


To be 
built. 


cost per 
mile. 


Across Guatemala: 
Ayutia to OabaUo Blanco 

OabaUo Blanco to Santa Maria 


siT 


26.2 


$324,518 


$12,386 


Santa Maria to Rio Paz 


60.5 


893,536 


14,769 








Total 


84.1 


86.7 


1,228,054 


14,164 


Across Salvador: 
Rio Paz to near Acajutla . 

Near Acajutla to San Salvador . _ 


6416' 


26.5 


255,196 


9,630 


San Salvador to San Vicente 

San Vicente to San Miguel 

San Miguel to Rio Guascoran 


42.2 
62.0 
36.1 


1,157,433 
793,104 
781,901 


51,124 
12,792 
21,659 


Total 


64.0 


166.8 


3,987,634 


23,907 


Across Honduras: 
Rio Guascoran to Rio Negro 





71,7 


1,108,697 


15,46S 


Across Nicaragua: 

Rio Negro to Ohinandega 

Ohinandega to Granada 

Granada to Pena Blanca 


"wk'X 


38.0 


698,960 
907^390' 


15,762 
131285 


Total 


103.4 


106.3 


1,506,350 


14,170 


Across Oosta Rica: 
Pena Blanca to Liberia 




52.5 
157.5 
150.0 


1,167,430 
3,820,000 
3,353,487 


22,237 


Liberia to Boca Savegre 




24,254 


Boca Savegre to Rio Golflto 




22,356 








Total 





360.0 


8,340,917 


23,169 


Across part of Panama: 
Rio Goliito to David— 




69.6 
274.4 


955,353 
4,657,280 


16,029 


David to city of Panama 




17,009 








Total 




.334.0 


5,612,633 


16,804 




251.5 


1,125.6 


20,784,285 


18,467 



By deductions from the data in the table the salient features of the project 
will appear as follows : 

Total length of railway line from the southern boundary of Mexico to the 
city of Panama will be 1,377 miles, of which 251.5 have been built and 1,125.5 
are to be built. 

The cost of the new construction of the railway line is, estimated by the com- 
mission's engineers for grading, masonry, and' bridges at $18,467 per mile. 
This figure should be augmented by about 124 per cent to cover contingent^ 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 87 

engineering, and administrative expenses, which would bring the average cost 
in round numbers to $21,000 per mile. 

Adding for cost of superstructure, full equipment, and rolling stock the sum 
of $19,000 per mile, we get the entire cost of the new construction to be $40,000 
per mile. 

The total cost of the project will then be as follows : 

1,125.5 miles new construction, at $40,000 $45, 020, 000 

130 miles of sidings, at $20,000 2, 600, 000 

Widening the gage of present constructed lines to standard gage, 

251.5 miles, at $10,000 2, 515, 000 

Total cost of main line 50. 135, 000 

In addition, two branch lines should have to be constructed, one in Honduras 
to connect with the capital, Comayagua, length 75 miles, and the other in Costa 
Rica, to connect with the existing railway line at Alajuela, which connects with 
the capital, San Jose, the length of which will be about 25 miles, making in 
the aggregate 100 miles more.° The construction of these branch lines would 
have to be estimated at an average cost of $65,000 per mile, owing to the more 
difficult character of the country encountered in ascending the slopes of the 
mountain plateaus on which these cities are located. This will swell the total 
amount of capital required, in round numbers, to $56,000,000. 

The Pacific slope of Central America embraces within its confines some of the 
best and richest agricultural lands of the continent north of the Isthmus of 
Panama. It is here where most of the coffee, sugar cane, and cocoa plantations 
of the Central American countries are located ; where these products are grown 
to the greatest perfection. It is here where the fountain of all wealth of these 
countries is located. This " coffee zone," as it is generally known, occupies the 
Pacific slope of Cordilleras between elevations of 1,000 to 5,000 feet above sea 
level. It reaches its greatest width and unbi-oken continuity through the west- 
ern part of Guatemala, where the belt is about 70 miles wide, extending well 
into the Mexican state of Chiapas. Through the eastern part of Guatemala, 
Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Eica the belt, which diminishes and 
varies in width, is less continuous, somewhat broken by outrunners from the 
Cordilleras, which show" more of an arid character ; however, its many valleys 
possess all the richness of soil and climate of the "Costa Cuca " in western 
Guatemala. It is through this zone, or rather at the foot of which, the proposed 
railway line has been located by the Intercontinental Railway Commission. 
With the intercommunication which this line would afford throughout the 
length of this zone, there is sufficient traffic in sight from local sources (short 
haul freight and passengers) to sustain the life of the railway with decided 
healthful vigor from the very start, leaving alone any through traffic, which 
will surely more or less develop from the United States and Mexico to the 
Canal Zone. The further development of the great natural resources, not only 
of the " coffee zone," but of the whole Central American territory, which will 
surely follow the opening of this line, will insure its prosperity in the near 
future beyond adventure. 

More, the Intercontinental Railway of Central America will be the key to 
unlock the gates of the hidden treasure house, which nature has so lavishly 
provided with the products of a most favored zone. 

In conclusion, the writer would touch upon another feature, inherent to the 
project and capable of being developed into an exceedingly strong characteristic 
of the undertaking. 

It is this : The line of the projected railway lies along the foot of the Pacific 
slope of the Central American Cordilleras. In its course it traverses numerous 
streams which are fed from the high plateaus of the Cordilleras. The' more 
important of these streams, which are crossed at short intervals, will furnish 
an abundance of electric power, not only sufficient to operate all railroads ex- 
isting and to come, but to furnish light and power for every conceivable and 
needful purpose in these countries. 

''As regards Costa Rica, it is to be observed that the construction of the rail- 
road from San Jose, the capital, to Puntarenas, on the Pacific coast, is now 
ailmost finished, and that in a few months traffic will be opened thereat, thus 
completing the Costa Rican Interoceanic Railway between said port of Punta- 
renas and Port Limon, on the Caribbean Sea. — J. B. C. 



88 CENTEAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

From the moment that a companj- composed of the right elements for the 
purpose in view is organized and negotiations begun, all fraternal strife between 
the five Central American Republics would cease, their attentions would be di- 
rected bj' their larger sisters of the north to a rising dawn, promising to shed 
its golden light in common over all. During the construction of the road their 
surplus energy would be attracted and employed in a work of common interest 
to all. At the conclusion of the work and tlie opening of the road there will be 
general manifestations of congratulations and good cheer and good will towards 
each other. Once the railway line as a whole is in active operation, the practi- 
cal uniflcation would be an accomplished fact. 

The steel rails of such a line would indeed be veritable bands of steel holding 
together with an unremitting grip the five Central American States into one 
of unity, as compared with the fascia ted bundle of slender rods with the battle 
axe, popularly accepted as the emblem of the ancient device of "In Union there 
is strength." 

Our own interest at Panama, in opening new and extending old trade chan- 
nels in the existence of peaceful and stable conditions in Central America, com- 
bined with our duty toward common humanity, demands that the construction 
of this first section of the Intercontinental Railway be taken in hand at once. 
The present time seems opportune indeed for the initial move for the accom- 
lilishment of the project ; its realization would certainly write another chapter 
in the history of practical achievements towards the goal of Pan-Americanism. 

TiiEonoRE Paschke, 

New York, April. 1907. M. A. Soc. G. E. 



rinclosure No. 14.] 

REMARKS MADE BY DR. ANGEL TJGARTE. OF HONDURAS, WHEN PRE- 
SENTING HIS MOTION FOR A GENERAL AMNESTY OF POLITICAL 
PRISONERS IN CENTRAL AMERICA, AT THE SESSION OF THE CONFER- 
ENCE HELD ON DECEMBER 5, 1907. 

- Delegates : From the moment this Conference -was announced I felt that one 
of the practical ends that we might attain would be a reconciliation of the Cen- 
tral American family, not alone in their international relations, but in those 
between our citizens and their respective Governments. I think now. as then, 
that it is time we should show the world a spirit of generous humanity, of con- 
ciliation, and of forgetfulness of the bitterness and differences we have had in 
political life. 

Upon the meeting of the Conference I had the satisfaction of hearing in this 
chamber the authorized voice of Ambassador Creel asking from us a declara- 
tion, which we made with the greatest satisfaction, that there existed at the 
present moment no claim of any kind pending between the different Republics 
of Central America ; a declaration which was without doubt a brilliant opening 
in oui' labors. 

Inspired to-day with the same ideas of fraternity, I think that if it has been 
possible to terminate disputes between our Governments solely by the good will 
of the public men who preside over the destinies of Central America, harmony 
between these and their respective citizens could with much greater reason be 
reestablished. The means by which the noble object can be attained is through 
a decree in each of our Republics of an absolute and miconditional amnesty 
for all political refugees and offenders and for offenses connected therewith. 
Quiet being already established in our countries, the normal course of the work 
of this Conference and public expectation with regard thereto presents a most 
opportune occasion to accept the proposition which I have the honor to submit, 
that the Conference by acclamation approves tlie motion authorizing the Presi- 
dent of the Conference to urge our respective Governments to issue such a de- 
cree. 

I have the well-founded hope and belief that at the close of the Conference 
our brothers of Central America will enjoy complete liberty ; and for the greater 
aid in this step I ask equally that when this motion is approved our honorary 
presidents, the Secretaries of State of the United States of America and ^Mexico, 
be officially advised thereof. 



CEXTRAL AMERICAlSr PEACE COjS^FERENCE. 89 

[Inclosure No. 15.] 

ADDRESS OF DR. DON LUIS ANDERSON, PRESIDENT OF THE CONFERENCE, 

AT THE CLOSING SESSION. 

When I look Imck to the daj- we first met 'under the roof of the International 
Bureau of the American Republics — a mouth ago — and see the work we have 
accomplished. I feel that all my fears that we would have a long struggle were 
unfounded. I found that all the Central American delegations came inspired 
with an earnest and sincere brotherly feeling to accomplish something lasting 
and of mutual benefit. 

It can not be said now, as it was said before, that all our treaties had been 
written in water, as we intend to show the world, and particularly the Govern- 
ments of the United States of America and the United Mexican States, for whom 
our gratitude and that of our peoples for their timely and humane mediation 
at a difficult moment in our lives shall be everlasting, that our purpose is stead- 
fast, that our good faith has been pledged, and that our names have been written 
on documents Vhich are the foundation of a new era of peace,' happiness, and 
plenty for the Central American Republics. 

Alf differences, all obstacles, all barriers to our happiness and prosperity 
have been wiped out and the now Central American brotherliood established 
upon a sound foundation. 

The thanks of the Conference are due to the Presidents of our sister nations 
of the north,. at whose friendly advice we have met, and special thanks should 
be given to the Hon. Robert Bacon, who was Acting Secretary of State at the 
time of the signing of the treaty of Washington, and to the different Central 
American legations accredited to the United States, who have shown such zeal 
and liberal spirit in carrying out the instructions of their respective Govern- 
ments. 

Our gratitude to the honorable the Secretary of State, :Mr. Root, and to His 
Excellency the Mexican Ambassador, for their untiring efi:"orts on behalf of 
Central American peace will last as long as our respective countries exist. 

We carry within ourselves that pleasant memory, and we will see to it that 
our countrvmen will never forget it — passing it on from generation to generation. 



[Inclosure No. 16.] 

REMARKS MADE BY THE MEXICAN AMBASSADOR AT THE LAST SESSION 

OF THE CONFERENCE. 

Honorable Secretary of State, and Honorable Delegates : The Central 
American Peace Conference marks in the world's history two events of great 
importance. As far as five Republics of the American continent are concerned, 
it is the happy beginning of a new era. It is the symbol of peace and of 
justice, to which a noble and generous race is rightly entitled. It is the his- 
toric moment when Central America finds the right path, which will lead it 
on to a prosperous destiny. As far as the world is concerned it is the organi- 
zation of an international court, which brings hopes for universal peace. Its 
success must be interesting to all the nations of the globe. 

■ These two causes could not be more noble, more altruistic, more humane. 
This is the judgment of the Mexican Government. 

It is with great pleasure that I am going to read the messages sent to and 
received from the department of foreign relations. You will find reflected 
therein the opinion of my Government and its great interest as to the future 
of the five sister Republics. 

" Ambassador Creel to the Mexican Minister for Foreign Affairs. 

"Washington, Decein'ber 16. 1907. 

" It is with great satisfaction that I communicate to the department that the 
Central American Peace Conference has approved the follcwing conventions: 
A general convention of peace and amity, another creating a high court of 
justice in Central America, one for extradition, another for yearly conferences 
to render uniform their monetary systems, tariffs, weights, and measures:, 
another concerning railways, telegraphs and telephone lines; another relative 
to a pedagogical institute in Costa Rica : another relative to the Bureau of 
the Central American Republics in Guatemala. Recommendations were also 
adopted to grant anmesty to political prisoners. The conventions contain high 
and equitable principles which will constitute the basis of international law 
in Central America. The permanent court of justice shall decide all inter- 
national questions without any exception, and will be the first court of this 



90 CENTEAL AMEEICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

very liigii jurisdiction that is to be organized in the world. I congratulate 
the president and the minister of foreign affairs for their friendly mediation 
in this good work on behalf of peace and cordial relations." 

" Cable Instructions from the Mexican ]Min:ster for Foreign Affairs to 
THE Mexican Ambassador, 

" Under special instructions from his excellency the minister of foreign rela- 
tions of Mexico, I have the honor to inform the Conference that it was with 
the greatest satisfaction that His Excellency the President of the United States 
of Mexico heard of the brilliant success attained by this Conference ; that said 
chief magistrate considers the organization of a Central American court of 
justice of great and far-reaching importance, as likewise the spirit of accord, 
peace, and harmony which has inspired all the acts of the Conference and has 
entered Into the very core of their conventions ; that he congratulates their 
excellencies the delegates and through them the peoples and Governments of 
Central America for their patriotic and intelligent labors, and hopes that peace, 
ever fruitful and blessed, shall be everlasting and be firmly consolidated in 
those sisters Republics. 

" He likewise congratulates His Excellency the President of the United States 
of America and his distinguished Secretary of State for their noble and altru- 
istic cooperation." 



[Inclosure No. 17.] 

ADDRESS OF THE SECRETARY OF STATE, HON. ELIHU ROOT, DECLARING 
THE CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE OF WASHINGTON CLOSED, 
DECEMBER 20, 1907. 

I beg you, gentlemen, to accept my hearty and sincere congratulations. The 
people of Central America withdrawn to a great distance from the scene of your 
labors may not know, but I wish that my voice might reach each one of them 
to tell them that during the month that has passed their loyal representatives 
have been doing for them in sincerity and in the discharge of patriotic duty 
a service which stands upon the highest level of the achievements of the most 
advanced modern civilization. You have each one of you been faithful to the 
protection of the Interests of your several countries ; you have each one of you 
exhibited patience, kindly consideration, regard for the rights and feelings of 
others, and a willingness to meet with open mind the opinions and wishes of 
your fellow-countrymen ; you have pursued the true method by which law, order, 
peace, and justice are substituted for the unrestrained dominion of the strong 
over the weak, and you have reached conclusions which I believe are wise and 
are well adapted to advance the progress of each and all of the Central Amer- 
ican Republics toward that much to be desired consummation in the future of 
one great, strong, and happy Central American Republic. May the poor hus- 
bandman who cultivates the fields of your five Republicsj may the miner who is 
wearing out his Aveary life in the hard labors of your mines, may the mothers 
who are caring for the infant children that are to make the peoples of Cen- 
tral America in the future, may the millions whose prosperity and happiness 
you have sought to advance here, may the unborn generations of the future in 
your beloved countries have reason to look back to this day with blessings upon 
the self-devotion and the self-restraint with which yon have endeavored to 
serve their interests and to secure their prosperity and peace. With this hope 
the entire body of my countrymen will join, and with the expression of this 
hope I declare the Peace Conference of the Republics of Central America, con- 
vened in the city of Washington in this year 1907, to be now adjourned. 



[Inclosure No. 18.] 

ARGUMENT SUPPORTING THE HONDURAS PROJECT FOR A CENTRAL 
AMERICAN UNION, SUBMITTED TO THE CONFERENCE BY THEIR 
EXCELLENCIES SENOR FIALLOS OF HONDURAS, DOCTOR BONILLA OF 
HONDURAS, AND DOCTOR MADRIZ OF NICARAGUA. 

OBSERVATIONS OF HIS EXCELLENCY DON E. -C. FIALLOS. 

Honorable Delegates : Permit me, in relation to the project with which we 
now occupy ourselves, and which I do not hesitate to consider of vital impor- 
tance for the future of our peoples, to briefly express some of the ideas that, as 
a Central American, I hold concerning the bearing the resolutions of this Con- 



CENTKAL. AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 91 

ference must have in order to practically aid and satisfy the noble desires of 
the mediators who have invited us to deliberate. 

From the elevated viewpoint on which we find ourselves united in the shadow 
of the Capitol of Washington, we can not but contemplate Central America in 
its important historic and geographic make-up just as their excellencies the 
Presidents of the United States and Mexico regard it and as the former Central 
American statesmen consider it, the patriots who struggled to bequeath us a 
country, great and respectable, such as the youth, covetous of peace and justice, 
desires, which clamors for peaceful redemption, for the beneficent evolution so 
long hoped for in order that the latent energies of progress may be unfolded, 
and in order to enter into the enjoyment of the fruits of modern civilization. 

Thus alone can we properly appreciate in the records of the past the caftses 
that have retarded our progress; thus only shall we be able to find now the 
desired solution for our future welfare. 

During three centuries of Spanish dominion the provinces of the Isthmus re- 
mained united under the rule of the captaincy-general of Guatemala. At the 
opening of the nineteenth century the bonds that united them to the mother 
country and held them united among themselves being broken, there began the 
era of discord and fratricidal wars in which we have lived up "to the present. 
If from that time the union of the provinces under a single government had 
been maintained, Central America would to-day undoubtedly be one of the 
happiest countries of the earth. But the federation of the Republic could not 
be effected. Discord opened a broad field for the ambitious of power in each 
State. And thence it was that the personalist factions and military commands 
took the ascendency in the destiny of those peoples. In consequence thereof 
governments have succeeded each other with such notorious irregularity that 
it is now the rule that governments de facto must be recognized, while they 
maintain themselves by force, some in defiance of public opinion, or others 
struggling against unjustifiable revolutions. 

It is painful to confess it, but it is useless to attribute to other causes the 
wars that have afflicted our peoples. 

Those which in Central America have appeared to be international wars have 
been nothing but internal wars of a State that have crossed its borders. The 
proof of it is that there has not been a single case of territorial conquest or of 
any indemnity claimed by the conqueror. A stronger proof still is the fact that 
between two or more sections of the same State there exists profound divisions 
and political rancors, difficult to blot out, while the peoples of different States 
treat one another with entire fraternity. 

Therefore, if civil conflicts are what have devastated our soil, have consumed 
our A^ital energies, have divided our families, and have maintained the constant 
emigrations, which in their turn have occasioned the armed intervention of 
neighboring governments, it is in the cause of these strifes that we must seek a 
radical remedy. 

Since the labors of the Conference began we had, with merited applause, to 
note that there were no pending differences to be adjusted between the Govern- 
ments of the Central American Republics. And for disagreements that may in 
the future arise, it has already been solemnly stipulated that they shall be de- 
cided by means of the high court of justice, whose just and unappealable judg- 
ments will maintain perpetual harmony and good neighborly feeling among them 
for the five Republics. 

Given the conditions of respectability and good faith that have concurred in 
the formation of the treaty relative to the establishment of the court, and no one 
will dare to doubt but that it must produce the immediate results that are 
hoped of it. And it can be further assured that, without going out of the purely 
international sphere of action that has been assigned it, the court will exercise, 
by the mere fact of its existence, a beneficent influence upon the internal con- 
flicts of each State. 

But proceeding with loyal frankness, we must agree that if it is indeed true 
that by the creation of that court we have taken a most advanced step toward 
the well-being and the good name of the countries that we represent, by this step 
alone we have not assured the positive and fruitful peace of Central America. 

The aspiration of our peoples and the earnest desire of the United States and 
Mexico is that constitutional peace reign over every foot of our soil and not 
merely along the frontiers: that in the midst of order and harmony we shall 
busy ourselves in building up our prosperity ; that under the protection of the 
laws we may open the portals to progress in all its manifestations ; that we 
shall inspire confidence and give effective guarantees to foreign capital, so that 



92 CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

it may come to develop our tropical agriculture, our mineral deposits, and, open- 
ing means of communication, will place us iii commercial contact witli our 
neighbors on the north. 

Relying on the intimate knowledge we have of the nature of our peoples and 
of our governors, confirmed by the history of almost a ceuturji- that we have en- 
joyed of independent life, we must foresee tliat in the future serious conflicts 
will arise in the interior of the States and that until a method of settling them be 
found by rational and efficacious means they will give rise to new internal strifes. 

I admit, of course, that the political problems and internal rule of the Central 
American Republics ought not to be the subject of present consideration before 
this assembly, except in so far as this policy and this rule relate to the general 
peace that we have succeeded in establishing. 

In this sense, and obeying impulses of the most sincere patriotism, I make 
known here the profound conviction that continual political deceptions have 
rooted in my mind, that the union of the five Republics in one single nation 
becomes necessary as the only saving means that is to lead our peoples without 
new obstacles or anxieties along the same path of progress that has led the 
United States and Mexico to the height of prosperity they now enjoy. 

So long as the governing classes of our communities maintain themselves in 
power in the small Republics and the greater part of the national revenue is 
consumed in maintaining a grand government personnel and a numerous army, 
those Republics can not reach the stage of advancement that, by their geographic 
position and their great natural resources, they should attain, nor will they 
cease to figure before the other nations in the humble position which to-day 
they occupy as political entities. 

The democratic institutions which we should so much desire to see founded 
and respected in Central America will continue in danger of being overthrown, 
so long as the sword of a local chieftain can predominate over law. 

Right here we have recognized that danger in making special dispositions 
relative to political refugees which we still forsee in the future. 

We have likewise foreseen the uncertain or arbitrary actions that one Gov- 
ernment may commit in its international relations, and we have rejected the 
union of the other Central American Governments in the presence of such 
uncertainties. 

All of which is going to show the necessity of seeking in the fusion of the 
five present Republics the establishment of a stable nationality constituted 
with the elements chosen from all of them ; the creation of a great fatherland 
ruled by a government of true statesmen of Central American patriots who are 
above the paltry regional influences; who, inspired by the teachings of the great 
Hamilton, will "mark out a healthful and practical course for our compassless 
politics ; who will organize our finances under a rational jilan and give a vigor- 
ous impulse to instruction, agriculture, and industry. 

It is a very much worn argument that our peoples are not prepared for union. 
This the separationists have been saying ever since they dissolved the federa- 
tion some seventy years ago. What the General American peoples are not pre- 
pared for is to "live ununited with unlimited autonomy. Tired of fruitless 
combats, and impoverished by the contributions to so many wars, they would 
not only receive the union as a saving measure, but it would be perhaps the 
only cause for which they would fight, if it were necessary, with conviction and 
enthusiasm, to conquer in favor of the new generations the peace and prosperity 
they have not been able to enjoy. 

The Central American youth is, as you well know, an indefatigable promoter 
of the federation. To tliis youth belongs the future, and it should be heard. 
In its name, and because of a special mission that I hold, I make known here 
the sentiments that it cherishes in favor of the prompt and glorious reconstruc- 
tion of the " Republic of Central America." 

E. C. FlALLOS. 



ARGUED VOTE OF THE MINORITY. 

Gentlemen of the Conference : The report of the majority of the commis- 
sion regarding the project of Central American union, which project was 
offered by the delegation of Honduras and supported by that of Nicaragua, 
having been submitted to vote, these delegations deem it their duty to lay 
before' the Conference their argued vote against said report, so that, accord- 
ing to Article XYI of the rules, it be added to the day's minutes. 

The delegations of Nicaragua and Honduras take this position in obedience to 
their positive convictions in compliance with special instructions received from 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 98 

their Governments, and in observance of the precept embodied in Article I of 
their respective constitutions. 

It is imperative that on such an occasion as this they should not fail to attest 
in a public manner their fidelity to an idea, which, as stated in the report laid 
before the Conference, " represents the noblest and grandest aspiration of 
patriotism." 

This aspiration is not merely an ideal, but is the fundamental basis of our 
political existence, acknovs'-ledged and declared in several of our constitutions, 
as in Article II of the constitution of Guatemala, in Article CIA of that of 
Salvador, and in Article I of those of Nicaragua and Honduras. As to 
Costa Rica, it is but necessary to turn back to the declaration contained in 
its constitution of January 21, 1847, which sets forth that Costa Rica forms 
a part of the Central American nation and will cooperate toward its reor- 
ganization in conjunction with the other States. Although that constitution is 
no now in force, the declaration therein conained is morally subsistent, for 
Costa Rica has always acknowledged its solidarity with the other Central 
American States. 

In corroboration of this, we need only to recall that scarcely a year ago, at 
the Conference held at San Jose Costa Rica, presided over by Dr. Don 
lAiis Anderson, a declaration which reflects great credit on the Conference 
was included in the minutes of its third session, as follows: "The contracting 
Governments acknowledge as principles of Central American public inter- 
national law, among others, the following: II, The commuuitj^ of interests with 
reference to the sovereinty and independent of Central America, considered 
as one unit nation." And in the minutes of the fourth session is the follow- 
ing declaration : "As Central American interests to which (the contracting 
parties) must devote preferent attention are likewise acknowledged in the fol- 
lowing : I. To cooperate with all its efforts toward the peaceful reorganization 
of the Central American Fatherland." 

This happy declaration has been adopted by our Conference and accepted 
as a fundamental principle of our conventions. 

In support of our assertion there are many documents that we could adduce. 
LawSi conventions, ■ messages, reports, proclamations, nearly all our public 
acts, with reference to the general relations of Central America, are inspired 
in the sentiment of unity, in the consciousness of a common destiny of our 
peoples, in the aspiration to form with the States now detatched a nation 
capable to assume the responsibility of its destinies in the world. 

The text of the report of the majority is as follows : 

" The conditions and circumstances existing among the peoples of the Isth- 
mus are not now propitious to immediately decree the national reconstruction 
which, to be solid and permanent, must be based upon the knitting together of 
the economic, moral, material, and sociological elements which are to be har- 
monized. They do not deem it opportune, therefore, that the present Con- 
ference should consider the proposition for an immediate union of the Central 
American Republics, but only the measures necessary to prepare in a stable 
manner for such union by the improvement of communications, the establish- 
ment of a coastwise trade, the drawing together of the economic and social 
interests of the people, the unification of the laws and of taxation and of cus- 
toms systems, and the encouragement of periodical reunions of Central Ameri- 
can conferences representing the five Republics. * * "= It is impossible to 
pass quickly from strife to a peaceful and sincere union." 

Such words, especially the latter ones, seem to denote that our recent dis- 
cords have left deep resentment in the minds of the Central American peoples. 
We would deplore that such were the case, that our dissensions should have 
broken the ties that have linked our destinies in bygone times and that ought 
to unite them still closer in the time to come. Happily, the undersigned do 
not entertain such a view, but on the contrary believe, as so ably stated by 
Mr. Anderson, that " Central American wars have never been armed conflicts 
between peoples, but between Governments," and now that a reconciliation 
has been effected, calming down past resentments, circumstances have again 
become propitious for working earnestly in favor of the national restoration. 

The President of Nicaragua, in this regard, has given us a proof which we 
can not pass in silence. We refer to a cablegram received from him on Novem- 
ber 22 last, worded as follows : " To attain union I am ready to relinquish 
power, if necessary, as I promised President Diaz." This proof of exalted 



94 CENTRAL, AMERICAISr PEACE CONFERENCE. 

patriotism needs not our eulogy to extol the name of its author. The Nica- 
raguan delegation lays it before the Conference, so that it may be considered 
for what it is worth for the present, in order that it may serve as a pledge 
for the future and that the Nicaraguan people may be judged by the spirit of 
its ruler. 

Moreover, the President of Honduras has made the same promise, through 
his delegation, as stated in the project submitted to the Conference in the 
second session of No\'ember IS last. 

A grievous error is committed in holding that the organization of a nation 
and the framing of its constitution require uniformity between the parts as a 
whole. Nothing is more inexact. In contradiction of such an opinion we 
have a very notable example, viz, that of the Constitution of the United States 
of America. History records what took place in the Philadelphia Convention 
of 1787 ; that the States of the first Confederation were at variance on details 
of vital moment. There was among them opposition of interests, of political 
tendencies and reciprocal jealousies in matters of predominance. Some States 
had their social status organized according to democratic principles ; in other 
States a powerful aristocracy reigned supreme; some were agriculturists; 
others were devoted to industrial pursuits ; some favored slavery, and others 
had marked aversion for it. There existed real moral antagonism, as a writer 
says, between the institutions of the South and those of the North, and it suf- 
fices, to judge the magnitude of this discord, to remember that nearly a century 
later the question of national union had to be settled by recourse to war. 

Notwithstanding this fact, the Philadelphia Convention did not entertain the 
same opinion as our committee. Believing that all those differences were not 
incompatible with the political union, it devoted its efforts to find a rule of 
law to harmonize all opposing tendencies, systems, and interests, and to attain 
the prevalence of the Union over all opposition. This rule happily established, 
after constant and patriotic efforts, is the celebrated Constitution which has 
given to the world the greatest Republic in hisory. 

What differences can there be more essential than those of race, tongue, and 
religion? Nevertheless Switzerland, which has different races, tongues, and re- 
ligions, is one of the best organized and freest countries in the world. 

It is not necessary to make the laws of the States uniform to prepare the 
union, as insinuated in the report of the majority. In Switzerland each Canton 
has its code; in the United States of America there can be no greater variety 
than is found in the individual legislations of the States. And it must be borne 
in mind that in both countries the laws are linked with and emanate from the 
customs, while we have no legislation of our own and endeavor to assimilate 
the foreign laws which we have adopted. 

When the report of the majority mentions the " drawing closer * * * of 
the sociological elements which must be harmonized," it surely can not wish to 
imply that our five aggroupments differ considerably in the nature and con- 
stituents of their sociological elements, because such an assertion would be an 
obvious error needing no refutation. But if by sociological elements it is 
meant to refer to the States as different entities we believe that the closeness 
of one another is such that it sometimes goes beyond what it ought to be. 
Without reference to peaceful intercourse, even in armed contests frequently the 
flags of more than one State are blended. When at one time Nicaragua's inde- 
pendence was imperiled all the armies of Central America, that of Costa Rica 
being foremost, hastened to defend it. On another occasion the territorial in- 
tegrity of Nicaragua and Honduras was threatened on the Mosquito coast, and 
Salvador made a common cause with those States and ran the same risk. 

There is a phenomenon to which we call the attention of those enabled to 
value it rightly. Sometimes the ardor we show in our contests is of so violent 
a nature that it might appear that an implacable enmity would separate us 
forever; but as soon as word of peace is uttered we recognize each other as 
brothers. No territorial conquests have ever taken place in Central America- 
no war indemnities or humiliating satisfactions imposed by one people upon 
the other as an abuse of victory. As soon as a change is effected in the gov- 
ernment staff, which invariably is the motive of our. invasions, the conqueror 
returns satisfied to his domicile without ever demanding, as compensation for 
the blood and the property expended, anything more than the intimate friend- 
ship of the new ruler it has installed in power. 

In our wars a rule has been observed which should be mentioned because it 
confirms our idea. The invader of a neighboring State, as soon as he enters 
the territory of the unfriendly Government, organizes a revolutionary govern- 



CENTEAL. AMERICAIsr PEACE COISTFEEENCE. 95 

merit and declares himself its ally. This practice ought to be abolished, be- 
cause it is harmful ; but the idea it implies must be acknowledged, as it is not 
to hurt the feelings of the invaded State, showing that the armed contest is 
only aimed against the Government. 

It can not be denied that in the temperament of the Central American peoples 
there exists — and we say it with satisfaction and even with pride — a feeling of 
brotherly love which prevails above all animosities and makes us forget in an 
instant the most ])ainful recollections. Far from believing that it is not possible 
to pass rapidly from strife to a sincere and. peaceful union, we are convinced 
that the moral union of the Central American peoples has always existed, even 
in the midst of the most passionate contests of their Governments. 

When the report of the majority mentions the need of drawing closer the 
means of communication between the States, to prepare them for the union, it 
implies that it is impossible for the present, due to the great distances which 
separate us and the lack of rapid and safe means of communication. 

A noted author, referring to Mexico, says that in 1880 there were not over 
600 kilometers of railroads in that Republic. Mr. Calvo, in his article pub- 
lished in. pamphlet form by this Conference, states that the Central American 
railway lines aggregated in 1902 about 1,000 miles, and he adds a footnote that 
since then the increase in mileage in Central America has been considerably 
increased. So that within a lesser area we have more than double the amount 
of railway lines than existed in Mexico in 1880. 

It is well known that our principal cities are connected by rail with the sea- 
coast and the ports are in frequent communication. To-day the distance be- 
tween Guatemala City and San Jose, Costa Rica, is covered more quickly and 
easily than from the former to the capital of the Department of Peten ; than 
from Tegucigalpa to Trujillo ; than from Managua to Cape Gracias a Dios ; 
and these long distances between the cities of one State and its capital are 
not an obstacle to the Government extending its influence to them, to maintain 
order, and further the national development. The telegraph transmits rapidly 
the influence of the Government to all parts of the country, and in the further- 
most regions a special center of authority can easily be established with power 
to maintain order, as Nicaragua has done on the Atlantic coast with the Blue- 
flelds intendahcy. 

Furthermore, to extend and Improve the means of communication, to make 
more effective the work of the Government' does not seem an impossible or 
even diflicult task. The important motion of the Costa Rican delegation, con- 
cerning the Central American- Railway, induces us to entertain this opinion. 
" It is not only," says the motion, " a need of which we are all aware (that 
of the railroad), but it can be carried into execution without an expenditure 
of greater elfort than is fortunately at our disposal." 

This being a fact, we believe that Central America could construct its rail- 
road, if united, in half the time that it could if divided. It would be a more 
imperative need for the national Government than it is now for the sectional 
Governments. On the other hand, no one will doubt that it will be easier to 
secure the necessary funds for this work under the auspices of a government 
which would give a better guaranty for the peace, credit, and responsibility of 
the nation than under the present circumstances, which do not inspire sufficient 
confidence in foreign capital. 

The importance of this matter impresses us with the duty of considering it in 
its principal features, and therefore we ask the indulgence of the honorable 
committee in case we should go beyond what it meant in its report. 

Those opposed to the Central American union have often asserted that its 
greatest enemy is the desert — that is to say, the scattering of a meager popula- 
tion over an extended and uncultivated territory. 

According to data prepared by the International Bureau of the American 
Republics it is evident that in comparing the Central American States with 
some of the countries of this continent we find that Central America has a total 
area of 426,975 square kilometers and a population of 4,118,977 inhabitants, 
which gives a population of 9.6 inhabitants to the square kilometer. The Argen- 
tine Republic has 1.7 inhabitants to the square kilometer; Brazil, 1.94; Chile, 
5.03 ; Mexico, 6.87, and the United States, 10.25. It is to be seen, therefore, that 
the relative population of Central America is larger than that of the principal 
nations of this continent, except the United States. With regard to the exist- 
ence of large tracts of waste and unsettled lands. Central America does not pos- 
sess such lands to a greater extent than the United States, the Argentine Repub- 
lic, or Brazil. 



96 CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 

It is a fact worthy of note that the less peopled regions of Central American 
conntries have always been the most peaceful. Appealing to history, let us 
investigate in which places there has been more agitation. We tind it in Guate- 
mala in the Departments of the west, center, and east; Alta Verapaz, Peten, 
and Izabel have been peaceful. In Salvador, Santa Ana, San Salvador, and 
Sonsonate have been prominent factors in civil strife. The eastern part and 
Chalatenango have been peaceful. In Honduras. Tegucigalpa, and the southern 
and western Departments have been turbulent and the rest peaceful. In Nica- 
ragua, Leon, Managua, and Granada have been warlike; Matagaliia, Segovias, 
and Chontles have been peaceful. Costa Rica has been spared disturbances in 
recent years, but in former times, when discord agitated its people. Cartage, San 
Jose, Heredia, and Alajuela were warlike factors. We can state, therefore, 
without fear of error, that the wilderness is peaceful and is not an obstacle for 
the union of the Central American peoples. 

It must also be recollected that we Central Americans have conquered, to a 
certain extent, the desert, because the peoples living on the Pacific slopes— 
where our population has attained the greatest density, where our greatest 
interests and the political power of the States are centered — have such easy and 
rapid means of comnuuiication, as we have already said, that the functions of 
the national Government could be freely exercised. 

In opposition to the opinion that we are fighting we assert that our people 
need the union in order to conquer the desert, an-J we beg leave to quote a his- 
toric case. In the year 1887, under the administration of Don Evaristo Carazo, 
in Nicaragua, a treaty was signed between the Republics of Nicaragua and 
Costa Rica, in which it was provided that the lirst named granted to the second 
the right of free commercial navigation in all the waters of the San Juan River 
and the Lake of Nicaragua, and the second un;lerstook, in return, to permit 
the use of the waters of the Colorado River for the improvement of the lower 
San Juan and the San Juan del Norte Bay, which were obstructed to a great 
extent, and to contribute to a considerable part of the outlay to be incurred in 
the enterprise. The separatist spirit was interposed, the con^•ention was not 
approved by the Nicaraguan Congress, and both Nicaragua and Costa Rica 
lost the lower San Juan and the Bay of San Juan del Norte. This is a case 
in which separation has maintained, or rather created, a desert, as it has ruined 
the chance of improving the most important commercial waterway of former 
times in Central America. 

The propriety of a speedy union of our jieoples is dependent upon the urgent 
necessity felt in Central America to put a stop to a political status which, dur- 
ing a period of nearly seventy years of our separation, has been insutticient 
in a definite manner' to have order, peace, and liberty enforced by a truly 
democratic government; that has been unable to establish on solid basis the 
credit of Central American countries and to impart full confidence to foreign 
capital, to bring immigration to our shores, and to raise the moral level of the 
masses, schooling them in the exercise of their rights, and giving them object 
lessons of the respect due to law and the principles of justice. 

We hope that the establishment of the Central American court of justice, 
agreed upon in the most important of our conventions, shall for the time being 
be the key to our political structure and shall remedy to a great extent our 
evils and shall prevent war in future. We believe, however, that it does not 
suffice to satisfy the sentiment and aspirations of the Central American people, 
and that within a short time it will be felt, through the free trend of opinion 
and through the obvious relation of our public needs, how essential is a more 
intimate and complete amalgamation. 

We have confidence in peace, but we would like something superior to a 
peace purely material— diplomatic, if we may be permitted to call it such ; we 
desire to check the moral strife engendered by jealousies and mutual distrust 
of the governments which prevent " the generous and effusive expansion of the 
Central American States," as Uribe said. 

We agree that sometimes nothing can be more detrimental than impatience ; 
but excess of patience in the presence of acute and persistent evils — prudence 
M'hich alwavs hesitates and never decides the '• status quo " at itmae when 
all is in motion and agitation around us— are not less detrimental to men and 
peoples. 

We shall never be able to awaken in our countries an energetic feelmg ot 
duty, an active spirit of progress, that confidence in self-effort which, for men 
and* peoples, is the surest guaranty for great victories, if we begin by under- 
valuing them before the eyes of the world, by saying that they are incapable 



CENTRAL AMERICAN PEACE CONFERENCE. 97 

of doing what other peoples have done, and that a community of more than 
4,000,000 inhabitants, possessing an exceptional territory, on account of the 
treasures with which nature has endowed it, is not in a position to constitute 
a stable and respectable nation. 

We do not intend to criticise the report which occasions this vote. We only 
wish to state to the Conference that we are convinced that it is possible, at 
present, to effect a radical change in Central America which may improve our 
condition and infuse into our social and political status new life, more in 
accord with democratic tendencies and the principles of civilization and 
humanity. 

Convinced in this sense, the delegations of Nicaragua and Honduras regret 
to differ in opinion from the honorable colleagues who have signed the report 
of the majority subject to vote, and deferring to the good faith in which they 
act, we deplore that we can not avail ourselves of such a propitious occasion as 
that offered by the meeting of the Conference to carry into execution the work 
upon which depend our destinies and without which we will not be able to be 
happy nor to prevent evils the magnitude of which we can not at present 
foresee. 

We repeat it, the delegations of Nicaragua and Honduras vote against the 
report of the majority. 

Jos:^ Madriz. 

Luis F. Cobea. 

p. boniula. 

E. C. FlALLOS. 

Ang:6l Ugarte. 
Washington, D. C, December 18, 1907. 

o 

37200—08 7 



